The Gambler By Kenny Rogers PRESENTED BY Mr. Markowitz

On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere, I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep. So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness 'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak. He said, "Son, I've made my life out of readin' people's faces, And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes. so if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces. For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice." So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow. Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression. Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right. You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done. now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin' Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep. 'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser, And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep." so when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window, Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep. And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even. But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser Subject The song is about two people discussing gambling with cards while riding a train. The last line of the third stanza: If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right The game is poker. The third line from the fifth stanza: 'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser

MOOD The mood of song is mysterious and anxious. Lines one, two and three from the first stanza state: …on a train bound for nowhere… …both too tired to sleep… …starin' out the window at the darkness

Theme The deeper meaning is not about playing poker but it is really symbolizing life and death. The third stanza: You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep. Symbolism The gambler could be seen as The Grim Reaper. Lines 1, 3 and 4 from stanza 5: …the secret to survivin‘… …ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser, And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.

Rhyme Rhyme is used in the 2nd and 4th lines of the third stanza: So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow. Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression. Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.

Foreshadowing The 2nd and 3rd lines of stanza 3 foreshadow impending doom: Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.

Kenny Rogers Has recorded more than 58 albums which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. One of country music’s biggest crossover successes, his numerous accolades include four Grammy Awards, 11 People’s Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards. In 1985, he participated in the recording of “We Are The World.” His popular “The Gambler” mega-hit recording spawned the longest running mini-series in the history of television in the United States. Was the spokesman for The Barona Casino in San Diego.

BIBLIOGRAPHY "Kenneth Donald Rogers." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. April 5, 2018. <http://www.biography.com/people/kenny-rogers-9462275#synopsis>

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