Hey you know I once was a gambler
But I lost my money wrong
Hey I once was a gambler
Oh but I lost my money wrong
That’s the reason I don’t have no sweet woman
Now I done lost my happy home
You take it way loose that doggone money
And sit around with your head hung down
We lose that old doggone money
You’ll sit around with your head hung down

You’ll try to borrow you fifty dollars
To start all over again in another town
“Too late you’re gonna loose your friends
Will pay no mind”

Baby it’s the only way you’ll forgive me
I won’t gamble when I’m old
If you only will forgive me baby
“Lord have mercy”
I won’t gamble when I’m old

She says I can’t help you now
Sold out to the devil
Isn’t that the way it goes
“And I couldn’t help but cry
I cry like this”

She said “I didn’t want to you to gamble lightnin’
You know who I am – I’m your wife”
She said “I didn’t want to you to gamble lightnin’
You know who I am – I’m your wife”

She’s looking at you just like you lost your money
You had a good chance to lose your life
So go ahead on lightnin’