Verse 1
Neon buzzin’ over felt and smoke
Friday night, same old jokes
Boot heels scuff that sawdust floor
Dealer shuffles, I’m in for more
Got a pair that ain’t much to see
But I’ve learned somethin’ livin’ free
It ain’t just cards, it’s the man you face
And the nerve it takes to hold your place
Pre-Chorus
Daddy said, “Son, don’t bluff too fast
Let ’em think they’ve got you beat”
Chorus
You gotta know when to raise, know when to wait
Know when to push all the chips on fate
Ain’t no room for fear at the table tonight
No one here came just to fold their hand
We play it strong, we play it straight
With a little luck and a whiskey chase
Life’s a gamble, but I’m all in now
Yeah, you gotta know when to raise
Verse 2
Jack and ten with a heart on the turn
Feel that fire, feel it burn
Man across got a nervous tell
Hands shakin’ like a church bell
Whiskey glass half gone by now
Truth gets loose after round three, wow
I’ve lost before, I’ve paid my dues
But I didn’t come here just to lose
Chorus
You gotta know when to raise, know when to wait
Know when to stare down a losing face
Ain’t no room for fear at the table tonight
No one here came just to fold their hand
We play it strong, we play it brave
Let the cards fall where they may
Life’s a gamble, but I’m all in now
Yeah, you gotta know when to raise
Bridge
Same rules work in love and life
When to hold on, when to fight
Sometimes faith beats a loaded ace
Sometimes you push, sometimes you pray
Chorus (Big Finish)
You gotta know when to raise, know when to stand
Know when to trust what’s in your hands
Ain’t no room for doubt in this game we play
No one here came just to walk away
From the cards we’re dealt to the price we pay
With a shot of truth in a whiskey glaze
Life’s a gamble, but I’m all in now
Yeah, you gotta know when to raise
Outro
Dealer smiles, pushes chips my way
Another round, hear the jukebox play
I lift my glass to the wins and scars
Texas Hold ’Em and a heart that’s scarred
Doug_Macedo
