Papa don’t shoot no dice, Papa don’t play no cards
Papa don’t shoot no dice, he don’t play no cards
He said the money’s tight, he say the times are hard

Caught me comin’ in one night after the clock struck three
Oh he caught me comin’ in last night after the clock struck three
You been gamblin’, you’ll be the death of me

I gambled in Mexico, gambled in New Orleans
I gambled in Mexico, down in New Orleans
Played in every game in every town between

But a gambler ain’t got no friends whenever his luck is down
A gambler ain't got no friends when his luck is down
But when he’s riding high, they all hang around

Papa don’t shoot no dice, Papa don’t play no cards
Papa don’t shoot no dice, don’t play no cards
He said the money’s tight, he said the times are hard
He said the money’s tight, he said the times are hard