Gambler ambled down a country lane Looking for a game of chance She was twenty-one or two And she knew what she wanted And she wanted that gamblin' man Her parents warned her Tried to reason with her She was determined that she wanted Bill They'd all be offended at the mention still If they heard this song, which I doubt they will And my mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with their daughter Don't marry that gamblin' man Mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with their daughter Don't marry that gamblin' man Mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with her No, no nevertheless I said my mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with her "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man." Gambler tried to be a family man Though it didn't suit his style He thought he had him a winning combination So he took us where the stakes were high Her parents warned her Tried to reason with her Never kept their disappointment hid They all went to pieces when the bad luck hit Stuck in the middle, I was the kid And my mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with their daughter Don't marry that gamblin' man Mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with their daughter Don't marry that gamblin' man Mama couldn't be persuaded When they pleaded with her No, no, nevertheless My Mama couldn't be persuaded When my Granny pleaded with her Not to marry that gamblin' man I said my mama couldn't be persuaded