I am a rovin' gambler
I've gambled down in town
Wherever I meet with a deck of cards
I Lay my money down

I had not been in Washington
Many more weeks than three
When 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 gamblin' man

Daughter oh, dear daughter
Why do you treat me so
To leave your dear old mother
And with this gambler go

Oh mother dear, oh mother dear
You know I loved you well
The love I have for this gamblin' man
No human tongue can tell

I've gambled down in Washington
I've gambled down in Spain
I'm going down to Georgia
To gamble my last game

I hear the train a comin'
A comin'round the curb
A whistlin' and a blowin'
A strainin' every nerve

Oh mother dear, oh mother dear
I'll tell you if i can
If you ever see me comin' back
I'll be with this gamblin' man