I'm Waiting for Ships That Never Come In

I'm waiting for ships that never come in

I wonder where they can be

Life is only a game of poker

And happiness is the pot

Fate deals you five cards in the cradle

And you play whether you like it or not

Some get a pat hand to start with

And the game doesn't seem on the square

When you look at your hand and discover

You were born without even a pair

But there's no use in kicking or squawking

Just pick up your cards and begin

To figure and plan and puzzle

While Fate looks on with a grin

Some take a chance at bluffing

And stake everything they've got

On a dinky little four flush

And sometimes it wins the pot

Others will break up openers

To draw for a middle straight

They know what a chance they're taking

And they learn their mistake too late

Some can't help playing crooked

Against all good advice

But they seldom get away with it

And in the end they'll pay the price

The most of us play straight poker

But I tell you boys it's hard

When you're there with both ends open

And you can't draw the winning card

Now I've always been a loser

It seems that I never can win

And I'm just a dreamer who's

Waiting for ships that never come in

I wonder where they can be