Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Guitar
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Ukulele
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Piano
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Banjo
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Mandolin
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Key
C Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
C · F · G · Am
The Gambler Chords – Harmonica
Kenny Rogers’ iconic country storytelling classic about life advice from a stranger. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Country Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep the strum gentle and steady. This is a storytelling song, so let the words drive it. Slight palm muting adds a nice country feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C
On a warm summer’s evenin’
F C
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
F G
We were both too tired to sleep
C
So we took turns a-starin’
F C
Out the window at the darkness
Am
‘Til boredom overtook us
G C
And he began to speak
Verse 2
C
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
F C
Out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were
F G
By the way they held their eyes
C
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
F C
I can see you’re out of aces
Am
For a taste of your whiskey
G C
I’ll give you some advice”
Verse 3
C
So I handed him my bottle
F C
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
F G
And asked me for a light
C
And the night got deathly quiet
F C
And his face lost all expression
Am G
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
C
Ya gotta learn to play it right”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 4
C
Now every gambler knows that the
F C
Secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
F G
And knowing what to keep
C
’Cause every hand’s a winner
F C
And every hand’s a loser
Am
And the best that you can hope for is to
G C
Die in your sleep”
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Verse 5
C
And when he’d finished speakin’
F C
He turned back towards the window
Crushed out his cigarette
F G
And faded off to sleep
C
And somewhere in the darkness
F C
The gambler, he broke even
Am
But in his final words I found
G C
An ace that I could keep
Chorus
C
You got to know when to hold ’em
F C
Know when to fold ’em
F C
Know when to walk away
G
And know when to run
C F
You never count your money
C
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Am G
There’ll be time enough for countin’
F G C
When the dealin’s done
Practice tip: This is an excellent beginner song with just C, F, G, and Am. Focus on telling the story — the chord changes are simple enough that you can concentrate on your singing.