C
[Verse 1]
CF
He said, "Pardon me for being so bold,
C
But you got a cigarette that's already rolled?"
FC
I gave him one, he lit it in his own good time
CF
The smoke in that poolroom hung like a fog
C
When he talked, he sounded like a growling dog
FC
He said, "Would you care for a dollar on the five or the nine?"
CF
Now this man was ugly and his eyes were mean
C
His clothes were dirty but his hands were clean
FC
He held that stick like a mother holds the hand of a child
CF
Well, I've been known to hustle a few
C
When the waitress said, "Is he playing you?"
FC
And I said, "Yeah. Bring me brandy, water by."
C#
[Verse 2]
C#F#
Well, Little Red Parker was way in the back
C#
Taking quarters and handling racks
F#C#
And I told him, "Red, come up here. Glue 'em up tight."
C#F#
That brandy had me feeling warm
C#
I tipped that waitress and I checked her form
F#C#
And I said, "Honey, you like a winner?" and she just smiled
C#F#
I played like a man with a broken wrist
C#
I won two and he won six
F#C#
And I had him set up so I said, "Let's play for five."
C#F#
By this time a crowd had gathered around
C#
To see this fish and just watch him drown
F#C#
I told that waitress, "More brandy, water by."
D
[Verse 3]
DG
Then he went out and got a custom cue
D
He said, "It's no offense to you,
GD
But I don't play off the wall with nobody but friends."
DG
It had gold initials and a leather grip
D
Pearl and silver inlaid tip
GD
He smiled at me and he said, "Why don't we play for ten?"
DG
Well, I never seen a man that walk
D
Who made those balls and table talk
GD
They're speaking English, he sure didn't need my help
DG
He broke the balls and kept that string
D
For a hundred and eighty seven bucks and a ring
GD
'Til I gave up and said, "Friend, you're gonna have to play by yourself."
D#
[Verse 4]
D#G#
Well, he sacked it up and he walked outside
D#
And I strolled out just to watch him ride
G#D#
And there was a blonde in that Caddy built like the rest of that car
D#G#
The boys in the poolroom, they had 'em laughing
D#
And I hung it up and just let it pass
G#D#
And didn't have a thing but my elbows to put on the bar
D#G#
And the waitress smiled, said, "Water by?"
D#
I took the charity and I thanked her twice
G#D#
And sittin' there sippin' and suddenly I had me a thought
D#G#
Unlucky gambler and lucky in love
D#
Guess you know what I was thinking of
G#D#
When I said, "Waitress, honey, what time do you get off?"