Rounder’s Spirit

[Verse 1]
As a boy, I'd sneak to town to see the rounders
And I'd watch as they lay their money down
Fascination filled my head by the hands as can be read
"It's all in their eyes, it's plain to see."
He said to me

[Verse 2]
Well the way of a rounder's life, it overtook me
With desire that burned like fire within my soul
So I set to leave my home, my mama cried from deep down low
"It's a devil's game you long to play, nothin' comes free."
She said to me

[Verse 3]
In the town I searched and found the nearest barroom
And I prayed as they dealt those cards around
For one hand that I could win and have enough to play again
This last request is all I ask, dear Lord, help me
I pray to thee

[Verse 4]
Those years are gone, for now I've grown and I'm much older
I settled down with a wife to raise a family
But she can see it in my eyes, the rounder's spirit never dies
I leave tonight when she sleeps tight so tenderly