Boots on the floorboards

Deck on the table

Cut clean

Dust in the lamplight

Every stare sharp and mean

You lay down three cowboys

I answer with queens

The dealer just grins

Like he’s seen this old scene

This is Rummy in the dust

Boy

Every draw could be your last

Count your luck

Count your cards

Count the ghosts of every hand you’ve passed

Lay your runs

Lay your sets

While the moon keeps watch above

This is Rummy in the dust

This is war dressed up as love (oh)

Whiskey and wild hearts

Chips stacked high by your side

You’re holding two jokers

But your left eye twitches a lie

You meld down your secrets

I discard my pride

One card on the felt

And the whole room divides

This is Rummy in the dust

Boy

Every draw could be your last

Count your luck

Count your cards

Count the ghosts of every hand you’ve passed

Lay your runs

Lay your sets

While the moon keeps watch above

This is Rummy in the dust

This is war dressed up as love

You say

“One more round”

Like a prayer

Like a dare

I say

“One more cut”

As the chairs scrape

We all stare

Trumpets in my heartbeat

Drums in my veins

If I go down tonight

You’ll remember my name (hey!)

This is Rummy in the dust

Boy

Every draw could be your last

Count your luck

Count your cards

Count the ghosts of every hand you’ve passed

Lay your runs

Lay your sets

While the moon keeps watch above

This is Rummy in the dust

This is war dressed up as love

This is Rummy in the dust

Tip your hat and call that bluff