The Card Cheat

Album: London Calling (1979)
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  • There's a solitary man cryin', "hold me!"
    It's only because he's a-lonely
    And if the keeper of time runs slowly
    He won't be alive for long

    If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
    With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
    It means nothing

    To the opium dens and the barroom gin
    In the Belmont chair playing violin
    The gambler's face cracks into a grin
    As he lays down the king of spades

    But the dealer just stares
    "There's something wrong here", he thinks
    The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
    And shot dead

    He only wanted more time
    Away from the darkest door
    But his luck it gave in
    As the dawn light crept in
    And he lay on the floor

    From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
    With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear
    To all of the men who have stood with no fear
    In the service of the King

    Before you met your fate
    Be sure you did not forsake
    Your lover may not be around anymore

    There's a solitary man cryin', "hold me!"
    It's only because he's a-lonely
    And if the keeper of time runs slowly
    He won't be alive for long Writer/s: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Ct from Gnome, AlaskaI think the song concerns the death of imperial western powers.
  • Tony from San DiegoAnother true gem by the boys.
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