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, I've gambled over in Spain
I'm on my way to Tennessee, to play my last game
I had not been in Washington, many more weeks than three
When I fell in love with a pretty little maid, who fell in love with me
She took me in the parlor, she cooled me with her fan
She whispered low in her mother's ear, I love that gambling man
Oh daughter, oh dear daughter, how could you treat me so
To leave your dear old mother, and with the gambler go
Oh mother, my dear mother, you know I love you well
But the love I have for the gambling man, no human tongue can tell
I wouldn't marry a farmer, he's always in the rain
I wouldn't marry a railroad man, who's always on a train
I wouldn't marry a doctor, he's always gone from home
All I want is the gambling man, for he won't leave me alone
I hear the train a-comin', a-comin' round the curve
A-whistlin' and a-blowin', and strainin' every nerve
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
