Knowing when to raise

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