C [Verse 1] C F He said, "Pardon me for being so bold, C But you got a cigarette that's already rolled?" F C I gave him one, he lit it in his own good time C F The smoke in that poolroom hung like a fog C When he talked, he sounded like a growling dog F C He said, "Would you care for a dollar on the five or the nine?" C F Now this man was ugly and his eyes were mean C His clothes were dirty but his hands were clean F C He held that stick like a mother holds the hand of a child C F Well, I've been known to hustle a few C When the waitress said, "Is he playing you?" F C 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] D G Then he went out and got a custom cue D He said, "It's no offense to you, G D But I don't play off the wall with nobody but friends." D G It had gold initials and a leather grip D Pearl and silver inlaid tip G D He smiled at me and he said, "Why don't we play for ten?" D G Well, I never seen a man that walk D Who made those balls and table talk G D They're speaking English, he sure didn't need my help D G He broke the balls and kept that string D For a hundred and eighty seven bucks and a ring G D '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?"