Gambler ambled down a country lane
Looking for a game of chance
She was twenty-one or two
And she knew what she wanted
And she wanted that gamblin' man

Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
She was determined that she wanted Bill
They'd all be offended at the mention still
If they heard this song, which I doubt they will

And my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
No, no nevertheless
I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
when they pleaded with her,
\"Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man.\"

Gambler tried to be a family man
Though it didn't suit his style
He thought he had him a winning combination
So he took us where the stakes were high
Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
Never kept their disappointment hid
They all went to pieces when the bad luck hit
Stuck in the middle, I was the kid

And my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her,
No, no, nevertheless,
My Mama couldn't be persuaded
When my Granny pleaded with her
Not to marry that gamblin' man.

I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with their daughter
don't marry that gamblin' man