Roving Gambler (Version 2, typed, key of E)
Public domain - full karaoke IMMHA-L387
Credit: Traditional · traditional
Origin: Traditional American ballad (Laws H4, Roud 498), recorded by Vernon Dalhart in the 1920s and others; author unknown, public domain. Version 2 of 2: typed in purple with handwritten chords, 4/4 time, key of E, 'Traditional'. The right edge of the scan cuts off a few line endings, filled in from Version 1. Typed as 'New york Town'.
Source: https://balladindex.org/Ballads/LH04.html
Lyrics sheet: courtesy of Country Roads Folk Music Camp, Mount Madonna County Park, California (about the camp)
Original scan: from John's songbook (scan to be posted on @IMMHACAL)
Chords as printed on the original song sheet. Chords as handwritten (E and A).
E I am a roving gambler, I've gambled all around A E Whenever I see a deck of cards, I lay my money down A E I lay my money down. E I had not been in New york Town many more weeks than three A Till I fell in love with a pretty little gal and she fell in love with me E She took me in her parlour and she cooled me with her fan, A E And she whispered low in her mother's ear, I love that gamblin' man A E I love that gamblin' man. E Oh daughter, oh dear daughter, how can you treat me so A E To leave your dear old mother, and with a gambler go? E Oh Mother, Oh dear Mother, you know I love you well, A E But the love I have for the gamblin' man no human tongue can tell, A E No human tongue can tell. E I wouldn't marry a farmer, for he's always in the rain, E All I want is the gamblin' man who wears the big gold chain, A E Who wears the big gold chain. E I hear the train a-comin', a-comin' round the curve, A E A-whistlin' and a-strainin', a-strainin' every nerve. E Oh Mother, Oh dear Mother, I'll tell you if I can, A E If you ever see me comin' back, it'll be with the gamblin' man, A E It'll be with the gamblin' man. Repeat first verse