The Card Cheat

Album: London Calling (1979)
Play Video
  • 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.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.