Since it cost a lot to win
and even more to lose
You and me bound to spend some time
wondering what to choose
Chorus:
Goes to show you don’t ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come ’round
Don’t you let that deal go down1
I been gambling hereabouts
for ten good solid years
If I told you all that went down
it would burn off both your ears
(Chorus)
Since you poured the wine for me
and tightened up my shoes
I hate to leave you sitting there
composin’ lonesome blues
It goes to show you don’t ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come ’round
Don’t you let that deal go down [ad lib]
Words by Robert Hunter
Music by Jerry Garcia
Reminiscent of the folk song “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.”:
I’ve been all around this whole wide world,
Way down in Memphis, Tennessee.
Any old place I hang my hat
Seems like home to me.
Don’t let your deal go down.
Don’t let your deal go down.
Don’t let your deal go down, sweet mama
Till your last old dollar’s gone.
When I left my love behind,
She’s standin’ in the door;
She throwed her little arms around my neck and said,
“Sweet daddy please don’t go!”
Now it’s who’s gonna shoe your pretty little feet?
Who’s gonna glove your hand?
And who’s gonna kiss your ruby lips?
Honey, who’s gonna be your man?
She says, “Papa will shoe my pretty little feet,
Mama will glove my hand.
You can kiss my rosy lips
When you get back again.”
Where did you get them high-heel shoes.
And that dress you wear so fine?
Got my shoes from a railroad man
Dress from a driver in the mine.
Studio recording: Garcia (January 1972).
First performance: February 19, 1971, at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York. The song never left the repertoire thereafter.