Deal Me In

[Intro — low, grinding blues riff; slide guitar drags across a heavy stomp] [Verse 1] Clean white collar in a smoke-stained room, Doc took a chair with his back to the gloom. Set down his whiskey, counted his stack, Coughed in a cloth, then folded it back. Once those hands had earned an honest fee; Now they cut the cards where the law couldn’t see. A stranger watched him like an easy score— Doc smiled politely and asked him for more. [Pre-Chorus] His hand never trembled when he pushed the money in; The man across the table stopped returning his grin. [Chorus] Deal me in—let the whole pot ride! Pour another whiskey; pull a chair up tight. Death’s been waiting, but he’ll wait again— I’ve still got money, and you’ve still got hands. Deal me in till the lamplight dies— Watch my hands, boys, look me in the eyes. [Verse 2] Tombstone dust on a long black coat, A word to Wyatt caught low in his throat. Boot heels scraped and the street went still, Every man watching for a hand to kill. Then smoke rolled thick where the daylight shone, Doc stood his ground till the shooting was done. That night he struggled with a shirt stuck red; “Help me with this,” was all he said. [Pre-Chorus] They talked about his nerve in every drinking room; Nobody heard him coughing when the night wore through. [Chorus] Deal me in—let the whole pot ride! Pour another whiskey; pull a chair up tight. Death’s been waiting, but he’ll wait again— I’ve still got money, and you’ve still got hands. Deal me in till the lamplight dies— Watch my hands, boys, look me in the eyes. [Guitar Solo — slow, vicious slide bends; second guitar answers with a ragged blues lead] [Bridge — half-time; bass, floor tom and a trembling guitar chord] Some nights he couldn’t get the bottle to his lips, Had to stop and catch his breath between the little sips. Listened to the laughter coming through the wall, Reached to light a cigarette, then let the matchbook fall. Morning found him dressed again, fastening his vest, Paused before the mirror till the coughing left his chest. [Final Chorus — full band; defiant lead vocal] Deal me in—let the whole pot ride! Pour another whiskey; pull a chair up tight. Death’s been waiting, but he’ll wait again— I’ve still got money, and you’ve still got hands. Deal me in till the lamplight dies— Watch my hands, boys, look me in the eyes. [Outro — drums fall away; slide guitar answers each line] A mountain room. A glass beside the bed. His coat hung on a nail; No cards left to be dealt. [Quiet, rough vocal] Deal me in… One more hand. [Low guitar chord sustains; slide fades above it]