Tom BeattyI was a lawyer like Harmon WhitneyOr Kinsey Keene or Garrison Standard,For I tried the rights of property,Although by lamp-light, for thirty years,In that poker room in the opera house.And I say to you that Life’s a gamblerHead and shoulders above us all.No mayor alive can close the house.And if you lose, you can squeal as you will;You’ll not get back your money.He makes the percentage hard to conquer;He stacks the cards to catch your weaknessAnd not to meet your strength.And he gives you seventy years to play:For if you cannot win in seventyYou cannot win at all.So, if you lose, get out of the room—Get out of the room when your time is up.It’s mean to sit and fumble the cardsAnd curse your losses, leaden-eyed,Whining to try and try.
I was a lawyer like Harmon WhitneyOr Kinsey Keene or Garrison Standard,For I tried the rights of property,Although by lamp-light, for thirty years,In that poker room in the opera house.And I say to you that Life’s a gamblerHead and shoulders above us all.No mayor alive can close the house.And if you lose, you can squeal as you will;You’ll not get back your money.He makes the percentage hard to conquer;He stacks the cards to catch your weaknessAnd not to meet your strength.And he gives you seventy years to play:For if you cannot win in seventyYou cannot win at all.So, if you lose, get out of the room—Get out of the room when your time is up.It’s mean to sit and fumble the cardsAnd curse your losses, leaden-eyed,Whining to try and try.