Speak of the hearts that this vagabond has broken Tell of the fun that I've had Speak of the loving and the laughing and the joking Back when I was glad, back when I was glad Now let's play it real pretty, my guitar Tell of the time when the riverboats were churning Oh what a gambler's spree Tell of the time when old lady luck was burning Every one but me, every one but me Now let's tell it again, my guitar Well tell of the time when I took my biggest gamble In a game where hearts were high Tell of the way that my heart began to ramble When she caught me eye, when she caught me eye Now just once more, my guitar Go tell all my friends this life's a game of poker A fool and his gold must part And in this hectic world the biggest fools the joker Who gambles with his heart, who gambles with his heart Now let's tell it real sad, my guitar That's the story of the gambler's guitar