I am a roving gambler, I've gambled all around
Whenever I meet with a deck of cards, I lay my money down
I've gambled down in Washington and I've gambled over in Spain
Now I'm on my way to Georgia to knock down my last game
Well, I had not been in Washington many more weeks than three
'Til I fell in love with a pretty little
Girl and she fell in love with me
She took me in her parlor, she cooled me with her fan
She whispered low in her mother's ear, "
I love this gambling man" (This gambling man)
"Love this gambling man, love this gambling man"
"Oh daughter, oh dear daughter, how could you treat me so
And leave your dear old mother and with a gambler go?"
"Oh mother, oh dear mother, you know I love you well
But the love I hold for this gambling man no human tongue can tell
No human tongue can tell, no human tongue can tell"
"I wouldn't marry a railroad man, this is the reason why
I never seen a railroad man that wouldn't tell his wife a lie"
"Oh mother, oh dear mother, I'll tell you if I can
If you ever see me coming back, I'll be with a gambling man"
Well, I am a roving gambler, I've gambled all around
Whenever I meet with a deck of cards, I lay my money down
Lay my money down, lay my money down