Starin' at my cards like they owe me somethin'
Workin' on a ragged hand
I can see the reaper sittin' at the table
And I know that he's got a plan

Must've wanted my heart to break
Turnin' a mirage into a lake
I'm comin' over the mountain and I'm pumping the brakes
Workin' on a full card straight

Everybody's always askin'
Why do what I do
I don't gamble 'cause I want to win, boys
I gamble 'cause I need to lose

Got some miles on the engine
No way to roll back the clock
I wouldn't do it even if I could
I gotta play 'til the music stops

Learned too late, sing the blues
Let the dirt get on these shoes
You want to find the queen, you got some pawns to lose
Darlin' I'd tell you the truth

Everybody's always askin'
Why do what I do
I don't gamble 'cause I want to win, boys
I gamble 'cause I need to lose
I need to lose
I need to lose
I need to lose
I need to lose
I gamble 'cause I need to lose

Somebody call the doctor
Something wrong with me
I know there's something missin'
What it is I just can't see

It's down in my chest, dark aches and pains
I know I got a screw loose inside of my brain

And everybody's always askin'
Why do what I do
I don't gamble 'cause I want to win, boys
I gamble 'cause I need to lose

Everybody's always askin'
Why do what I do
I don't gamble 'cause I want to win, boys
I gamble 'cause I need to lose

I need to lose
I need to lose
I need to lose
I need to lose
I gamble 'cause I need to lose