[Verse 1]
Gambler ambled down a country lane
Lookin' for a game of chance
She was twenty-one or two
And she knew what she wanted
And she wanted that gamblin' man
Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
She was determined that she wanted Bill
They'd all be offended at the mention still
If they heard this song, which I doubt they will

[Chorus]
And my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, no, no nevertheless
I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"

[Verse 2]
Gambler tried to be a family man
Though it didn't suit his style
He thought he had him a winning combination
So he took us where the stakes were high
Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
Never kept their disappointment hid
They all went to pieces when the bad luck hit
Stuck in the middle, I was the kid
[Chorus]
And my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, no, no, nevertheless
My mama couldn't be persuaded
When my Granny pleaded with her, "Not to marry that gamblin' man"

[Instrumental Bridge]

[Chorus]
I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her, "Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man"