I am a rovin' gambler
I've gambled all around
Wherever 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 Georgia
To knock down my last game
Knock down my last game
Knock down my last game

I had not been in Washington
Many more weeks than three
'Til I fell I love with a pretty little girl
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
Love this gamblin' man
Love this gamblin' man

Oh daugther, oh dear daughter
How could you treat me so
To leave your dear old mother
And with the gambler go

Oh mother, dear mother
You know I love you well
But the love I hold for the gamblin' 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
I'll be with the gamblin' man

I am the rovin' gambler
I've gambled all around
Wherever I meet with a deck of cards
I lay my money down
Lay my money down
Lay my money down