Gambler ambled down a country lane
 Looking for a game of chance
 She was twenty-one or two
 And she knew what she wanted
 And she wanted that gamblin' man
 
 Her parents warned her
 Tried to reason with her
 She was determined that she wanted Bill
 They'd all be offended at the mention still
 If they heard this song, which I doubt they will
 
 And my mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with her
 No, no nevertheless
 I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
 when they pleaded with her,
 "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man."
 
 Gambler tried to be a family man
 Though it didn't suit his style
 He thought he had him a winning combination
 So he took us where the stakes were high
 Her parents warned her
 Tried to reason with her
 Never kept their disappointment hid
 They all went to pieces when the bad luck hit
 Stuck in the middle, I was the kid
 
 And my mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with her,
 No, no, nevertheless,
 My Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When my Granny pleaded with her
 Not to marry that gamblin' man.
 
 I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man
 Mama couldn't be persuaded
 When they pleaded with their daughter
 don't marry that gamblin' man