Aces ‘n Eights

Aces and eights, flushes and straights, life can come at you hard,

  ‘cuz fate awaits at heaven’s gates, it could all depend on a card.

Deadwood saloon, honky-tonk tune, they’re playin’ cards in the back,

 Dirty spittoon, dealin’ cards soon, chips are there in a stack.

Unfurl your brow, ‘cuz you know how, to figure up all of the odds,

  Never say ciao, we don’t allow, and sometimes it’s up to the gods.

Five card’s the game, it’d be a shame, if you threw down your cards in disgust,

  It’s all the same if you lose the game, and sometimes you’re gonna’ go bust.

Gentleman’s fun, don’t need no gun, you can sit with your back to the door,

  It’s half past one, game isn’t done, always room for one more.

Ante a buck and try your luck, the hand will be delt face down,

  Don’t be a schmuck, show us some pluck, this is the best game in town.

Look at the cards, cardboard petards, try your luck at some draw.

  With best regards, we are your pards, step on into the maw.

  A brand-new deck, here you can check, each player will get to draw five,

  Say what the heck, stick out your neck, we’ll all be leavin’ alive.

Pair of Snake Eyes, might win the prize, openin’ hand for sure,

  Keep looking wise, ignore the flies, this is no time to defer.

Throw your discards, call for three cards, this hand might turn into gold,

  We aren’t retards, from the stockyards, our eyes are steely and cold.

Look at a card, it ain’t so hard, hoping they dealt you an Ace,

  Keep up your guard, shun the graveyard, this ain’t that kind of place.

Damn it’s an Eight, that’s not so great, maybe an Ace will come next,

  As eyes dilate, what is his fate, hopin’ the cards are not hexed.

Next comes a Queen, it’s unforeseen, the odds are not lookin’ good,

  Ranch with a lien, needing some green, the banker has miss-understood.

Sweat on the brow, the last card now, just pick up an Ace or a Queen,

  Rules don’t allow, bettin’ no cow, the game is played straight and clean.

Last card revealed, destiny sealed, one last Eight to settle his fate,

No gun to wield, came in unhealed, certain death will await.

  In smoky haze, gun starts to blaze, and that was the end of the game,

  Finished his days, and gamblin’ ways, them Aces and Eights were to blame.

‘twas all downhill, for old Wild Bill, ‘cuz that wuz the end of the line,

  Off to Boot Hill, fate to fulfil, his earthly remains to consign.

LDT October 8, ‘22

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