Roving Gambler

Cat. #0468 (MFH #544) - As sung by Mrs. Oakley Fox, Crocker, Missouri on January 25, 1960

VERSE 1
I am a roving gambler
I gambled down in town
Wherever I meet with a deck of cards
I lie my money down

VERSE 2
I've gambled down in Washington
I've gambled down in Spain
I'm going down to Georgia
To gamble my last game

VERSE 3
I've gambled down in Washington
Not many more weeks than three
When, I fell in love with a pretty little girl
An' she fell in love with me

VERSE 4
She took me to her parlor
She cooled me with her fan
She whispered low in 'er Mothers ears
I love this gambling man

VERSE 5
O daughter, dear daughter
How can you treat me so
To love your dear ole Mother
An' with a gambler go

VERSE 6
O Mother, dear Mother
You know I love you well
But th love I have for this gambling man
No human tongue can tell

VERSE 7
I hear th train a coming
A coming 'round th curve
A whistling an' a blowing
A straining every nerve

VERSE 8
O Mother, dear Mother
I'll tell you if I can
If ya ever see me coming back again
I'll be with this gambling man

Variants