The Gambler chords
by Kenny RogersOriginal Published Key:Eb Major with a key change to E Major
Time Signature: 2/2
Tempo: 94 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Intermediate ðŸŸ
Guitar Chords: Eb, Ab, Bb, Bb7 → E, A, B, B7
Arrangement details and helpful tips for beginners
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
The Gambler
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Eb Ab Eb Ab
Intro: 2/2 ‖ | | | ‖
(On a)
Eb Ab Eb
1. On a warm sum-mer's ev-en-ing On a train bound for no-where
Bb
I met up with the gam-bler We were both too tired to sleep
Eb Ab Eb
So we took turns a staring At the dark-ness at the win-dow
Ab Eb Bb Eb
Till bore-dom over-took us And he began to speak
Eb Ab Eb
2. He said Son I've made a life Out of read-ing peo-ple's fa-ces
Bb
And know-ing what their cards were By the way they held their eyes
Eb Ab Eb
And if you don't mind my say-in' I can see you're out of a-ces
Ab Eb Bb Eb
For a taste of your whis-key I'll give you some ad-vice | % |
Eb Ab Eb
3. So I han-ded him my bot-tle And he drank down my last swal-low
B
Then he bummed a ci-gar-ette And asked me for a light
Eb Ab Eb
And the night got death-ly quiet And his face lost all ex-pres-sion
Ab Eb Bb Eb
Said if you're gon-na play the game boy Ya got-ta learn to play it right
Eb Ab Eb
Chorus: You got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em
Ab Eb Bb
Know when to walk a-way And know when to run
Eb Ab Eb
You ne-ver count your mo-ney When you're sit-ting at the ta-ble
Ab Eb Bb7 Eb
There'll be time e-nough for count-ing When the deal-ings done | % | % | % |
(key change)
E A E
3. Ev-'ry gam-bler knows That the se-cret to sur-viv-ing
B7
Is know-ing what to throw a-way And know-ing what to keep
E A E
Cause ev-'ry hand's a win-ner and ev-'ry hand's a lo-ser
A E B7 E
And the best that you can hope for Is to die in your sleep
E A E
4. And when he'd fi-nished speak-in' He turned back to-ward the win-dow
B7
Crushed out his ci-ga-rette And fa-ded off to sleep
E A E
And some-where in the dark-ness The gam-bler he broke e-ven
A E B7 E
But in his fi-nal words I found an ace that I could keep
E A E
Chorus: You got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em
A E B
Know when to walk a-way And know when to run
E A E
You ne-ver count your mo-ney When you're sit-ting at the ta-ble
A E B7 E
There'll be time e-nough for count-ing When the deal-ings done
E A E
Chorus: You got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em
A E B
Know when to walk a-way And know when to run
E A E
You ne-ver count your mo-ney When you're sit-ting at the ta-ble
A E B7 E
There'll be time e-nough for count-ing When the deal-ings done
E A E
Chorus: You got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em
A E B
Know when to walk a-way And know when to run
E A E
You ne-ver count your mo-ney When you're sit-ting at the ta-ble
A E B7 E
There'll be time e-nough for count-ing When the deal-ings done
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: Eb Major - 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
- Key Signature: E Major - 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)
- Time Signature: 2/2 — Two half-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderate Country in 2
- Metronome: h = 94 (h represents a half-note)
- Voice Range: Bb3 - E5
Beginners:
- If you haven't learned to play barre chords, this will be difficult to play. An easier alternative is to play in the key of B Major with a key change to C Major.
- Chord Set: B, E, F#, F#7 → C, F, G, G7
- Both keys can be played with open chords including B, F# and F#7:
Right Handers:
Left Handers:
- Capo on the 4th fret if playing along with the video.
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Don Schlitzg
- Date: 1976
- Lyrics Begin: On a warm summer's evenin', on a train bound for nowhere I met up with the gambler, we were both too tired to sleep.
- Genre: Country
- Featured Artist: Kenny Rogers
- Album: The Gambler
Recorded: 1978
Released: November 1978 - Single:
Released: November 15, 1978
B-side: "Momma's Waiting
