[Verse 1]
I thought I was a gambler, I broke every shark in town
Until I met up with a rounder who called all I put down
I put the cards on the table and he drew an ace-high hand
He bet his watch and I called it and I lost my money like a man

[Chorus]
I've got them polka dot blues, the polka dot blues
I lost my hat and my coat and my straight-lace shoes
I hocked my watch and went back to lose
The mean old gambling polka dot blues
Got the gambling polka dot blues

[Verse 2]
My gal had plenty, so I got twenty, then I went back and sat down
I got a four, but I thought he was more, as he dealt the cards around
He set the deck on the table and I bet him all I could stand
When I turned over a measly four, he had another ace-high hand

[Chorus]
I've got them polka dot blues, the polka dot blues
I lost my hat and my coat and my straight-lace shoes
I hocked my watch and went back to lose
The mean old gambling polka dot blues
Got the gambling polka dot blues
Got the gambling polka dot blues