[Verse 1] I’ve watched the sun rise over Reno And set behind a losing bet I’ve seen the bluff in a preacher’s smile And the truth in a cigarette I’ve traded tales for whiskey And silence for a flame But every time I gave advice I saw myself the same [Chorus] I know when to hold on Know when to let go I’ve walked away from fortunes And run from what I know You don’t count your blessings While the cards are still in play The last hand I played Taught me what to say [Verse 2] That kid on the train had nothing But the weight behind his eyes I saw the kind of hunger That no poker face can hide So I gave him what I’d gathered From a lifetime on the rail Not gold, not fame, not glory Just the art of how to fail [Chorus] I know when to hold on Know when to let go I’ve walked away from fortunes And run from what I know You don’t count your blessings While the cards are still in play The last hand I played Taught me what to say [Bridge] Every gambler dies a little Every time the stakes are high But if you learn to lose with grace You’ll never wonder why [Final Chorus] I knew when to hold on Knew when to let go I left behind my winnings For a truth I’d come to know You don’t count your blessings While the cards are still in play The last hand I played Was the one I gave away
