Kenny Rogers Farewell Concert Celebration: All In for the Gambler

[ Cheers and applause ] Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah What condition my condition was in I woke up this mornin' with the sunshine shinin' in I found my mind in a brown paper bag within I tripped on a cloud and fell eight miles high I tore my mind on a jagged sky I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah What condition my condition was in I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole And then I followed it in I watched myself crawlin' out as I was crawlin' in Got up so tight I couldn't unwind I saw so much, I broke my mind I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah What condition my condition was in Someone painted "April Fool" In big black letters on a "Dead End" sign Had my foot on the gas as I left the road And blew out my mind Eight miles out of Memphis, and I got no spare Eight miles straight up downtown somewhere I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in I said I just dropped in to see what condition My condition was in Yeah Yeah Oh, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] All right.

We're gonna try not to ruin a Kenny Rogers song here.

Show me a bar with a good-looking woman Then just get out of my way Turn on the jukebox I'll show you a song you should play Hey!

Sooner or later, a few shots of bourbon I'll think of something to say Whoa-oh Take her or leave her I'd rather take her away [ Laughs ] So, liquor and music, a good combination If you got love on the brain I never knew two women who acted the same Some wanna drink first Some wanna just sit and talk Whoa, oh It's two in the morning I'm running, and she wants to walk Here we go -- everybody!

Something's got a hold on me It's cheap, but it ain't free Love or something like it's got a hold on me You all right?!

[ Cheers and applause ] That's when I ask her My place or your place?

I hope I'm not out of line I asked the wrong thing to just the right woman this time She knew a hotel She even had a name we could sign Whoa, oh The cheaper the grapes are The sweeter the taste of the wine Something's got a hold on me It's cheap, but it ain't free Love or something like it's got a hold on me Something's got a hold on me It's cheap, but it ain't free Love or something like it's got a hold on me Love or something like it's got a hold on me It's gonna be a great night.

God bless you folks.

Nashville, Tennessee!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continues ] We are just so honored to be here for this man right here, Kenny Rogers.

You not only allowed us to open up for you at our first show, across the pond in Europe, in Switzerland -- it was back in 2009 -- but you've also been one of the artists that has inspired us to continue to travel the world with our music.

And we're so grateful for the opportunity to get to do that, but you have been a trailblazer for all of us in country music to take it all over the world.

So, we're very, very honored to be here.

It's been such a special night, and we can't believe that we get to sing this song.

Thank you very much.

She lays sleeping I stay out late at night and play my songs And sometimes all the nights can seem so long And it's good when I finally make it home All alone I lay dreaming He tries to get undressed without the light And quietly I say, "How was your night?"

He comes to me and says "It was all right" And he holds me tight And she believes in me I'll never know just what she sees in me I told her someday if she was my girl I could change the world With my little songs But I was wrong But she has faith in me So I go on trying faithfully And who knows maybe on some special night If my song is right I can find a way Find a way While she lays waiting I stumble to the kitchen for a bite I see my old guitar in the night And it's waiting for me like some secret friend And there's no end I lay crying He fumbles with a melody or two And I'm torn between the things that I should do And I say to wake me up when he's through God, our love is true God, our love is true And she believes in me I'll never know just what she sees in me I told her someday if she was my girl I could change the world With my little songs But I was wrong But she has faith in me So I go on trying faithfully And who knows maybe on some special night If my song is right I will find a way Find a way While she waits While I wait For me [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continues ] Go, girls!

No more mornings waking with a stranger No more evenings alone on the street Ooh, baby, I am out of danger Since you gave me the love I need You turn the light on Turn the light on, turn it on You turn the light on Turn the light on, ooh You turn the light on Turn the light on, turn it on The darkness is gone Because you turn the light on Whoop!

Whoop!

Whoop!

[ Laughs ] Here we go!

People who knew me when I was lonely Say that they've seen such a change in me Well, ooh, baby, I tell 'em I'm only Guilty of love in the first degree You know that's right.

You turn the light on Turn the light on, turn it on You turn the light on Turn the light on, ooh You turn the light on Turn the light on, turn it on The darkness is gone Because you turn the light on Whoo Light Ooh, ooh, ooh Come on!

Ooh, ooh, ooh Yeah, yeah Ooh, ooh, ooh Turn the light on Turn the light on Ooh, ooh, ooh Whoo Ooh, ooh, ooh Turn the light on You turn the light Turn the light on, turn it on Turn the light on, whoo-hoo Turn the light on Turn the light on, turn it on Darkness is gone Because you turn the light on Darkness is gone Turn the light on, turn it on Darkness is gone, Tennessee.

Turn the light on Let's have a little church right now, shall we?

Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh Turn the light on I say Ooh, ooh, ooh Hoo Hoo-ooh, hoo Turn the light o-o-o-on Uh-hu-u-u-uh [ Cheers and applause ] Yes!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] How's it going, everybody?

[ Cheers and applause ] On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep So we took turns a-starin' out the window at the darkness 'Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes So, if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice" So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light And the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy You gotta learn to play it right" You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealing's done Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin' Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep 'Cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep And when he finished speakin' He turned back to the window Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealing's done You got to know when to hold 'em When to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em When to fold 'em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealing's done You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealing's done Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kenny.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] Let's go out in a blaze of glory All good things must end Like two heroes in a story Let's go out like we came in In a blaze of glory Yeah, here we are broken-hearted We thought our love would never end We fell hard when we got started We're fallin' out like we fell in Let's go out in a blaze of glory All good things must end Like two heroes in a story Let's go out like we came in In a blaze of glory Oh, yeah Let's not lie and hurt each other That would be our worst mistake Once again let's act like lovers One more time for old time's sake Let's go out in a blaze of glory All good things must end Like two heroes in a story Let's go out like we came in In a blaze of glory Let's go out Come on, y'all.

In a blaze of glory All good things must end Like two heroes in a story Let's go out like we came in In a blaze of glory In a blaze of glory [ Cheers and applause ] We love you, Kenny!

[ Cheers and applause ] In a bar in Toledo Across from the depot On a bar stool she took off her ring I thought I'd get closer So I walked on over I sat down and asked her her name When the drinks finally hit her She said, "I'm no quitter But I finally quit livin' on dreams I'm hungry for laughter And here ever after I'm after whatever the other life brings" In the mirror I saw him And I closely watched him I thought how he looked out of place He came to the woman Who sat there beside me He had a strange look on his face The big hands were calloused He looked like a mountain For a minute I thought I was dead But he started shakin' His big heart was breakin' He turned to the woman and said "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille With four hungry children And a crop in the field I've had some bad times Lived through some sad times But this time your hurtin' won't heal You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille" After he left us I ordered more whisky I thought how she'd made him look small From the lights of the bar room To a rented hotel room We walked without talkin' at all She was a beauty But when she came to me She must have thought I'd lost my mind I couldn't hold her 'Cause the words that he told her Kept coming back time after time You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille With four hungry children And a crop in the field I've had some bad times Lived through some sad times But this time your hurtin' won't heal You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille Everybody!

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille With four hungry children And a crop in the field I've had some bad times Lived through some sad times But this time your hurtin' won't heal You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille Yeah, you picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] I can't remember when you weren't there When I didn't care for anyone but you I swear we've been through everything there is Can't imagine anything we've missed Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do Through the years You've never let me down You turned my life around The sweetest days I've found I've found with you Through the years I've never been afraid I've loved the life we've made And I'm so glad I stayed Right here with you Through the years I can't remember what I used to do Or who I trusted, who I listened to before I swear you've taught me everything I know Can't imagine needing someone so But through the years it seems to me I need you more and more Through the years Through all the good and bad I know how much we had I've always been so glad to be with you Through the years It's better everyday You've kissed my tears away As long as it's okay I'll stay with you Through the years Through the years When everything went wrong Together we were strong I know that I belong Right here with you Through the years I never had a doubt We'd always work things out I've learned what life's about By loving you Through the years Through the years Through the years Through the... Years We love you, Kenny.

[ Cheers and applause ] Are y'all having fun yet?

[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, my gosh.

We've had the best time back stage.

It's just like a family reunion back here.

Everybody's hugging everybody and talking about where you were last year and having fun.

And I want to do one of my favorite Kenny Rogers songs for you.

It's called "Reuben James."

[ Cheers and applause ] Reuben James In my song you live again And the phrases that I rhyme Are like the footsteps out of time From the times when I knew you, Reuben James Reuben James All the folks around Madison County cussed your name Just a no-account, sharecropping colored man Who would steal anything he can And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James Reuben James You still walk the fertile fields of my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James Flora Grey The gossip of Madison County died with child And although your skin was black You were the one that didn't turn your back On the hungry white child with no name Reuben James Reuben James With your mind on my soul and a Bible in your left hand You said, "Turn the other cheek, there's a better world waiting for the meek" And these words still remain from Reuben James Reuben James You still walk the fertile fields of my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James Reuben James One dark, cloudy day, they brought you from the fields And to your lonely pine box came Just a preacher, me, and the rain Just to sing one last refrain for Reuben James Reuben James You still walk the fertile fields of my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James Reuben James You still walk the fertile fields of my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hands upon the plow Well, I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughs ] Thank you!

That's a mouthful of words!

Thank y'all so much!

Thank you.

I know it's late I know you're weary I know your plans don't include me Still here we are Both of us lonely Longing for shelter from all that we see Why should we worry?

No one will care, girl We should look at the stars, they're so far away We've got tonight Who needs tomorrow?

We've got tonight, babe, so why don't you stay?

Deep in my soul I've been so lonely All of my hopes fading away I've longed for love Like everyone else does I know I'll keep searching after today So there it is, girl We've got it all now And here we are, babe What do you say?

We've got tonight Who needs tomorrow?

We've got tonight, babe, why don't we stay?

Yeah!

I know it's late and I know you're weary Weary I know your plans, they don't include me Still here we are Both of us lonely, both of us lonely We've got tonight Who needs tomorrow?

Let's make it last Let's find a way Turn out the lights Come take my hand now Girl, we've got tonight, babe Why don't we stay?

We've got tonight, babe, why don't we sta-a-a-a-ay?

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] Now -- Now, before you get started, this is the damnedest thing I'm doing, because I'm used to singing the song with Kenny.

And so when he said, "I want you to come sing 'Lady,' I'm gonna watch you."

What the hell is that?

[ Laughter ] Alright, Kenny.

This is for you.

Come on.

This is it.

[ Cheers and applause ] Lady, I'm your knight in shining armor And I love you You have made me what I am, and I am yours [ Cheers and applause ] My love, there's so many ways I want to say I love you Let me hold you in my arms forever more You have gone and made me such a fool I'm so lost in your love And, oh, we belong together Won't you believe in my song?

Lady, for so many years I thought I'd never find you You have come into my life And made me whole Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning Let me hear you whisper softly i-i-i-in, in my ear [ Cheers and applause ] In my eyes, oh, I see no one else but you There's no other love like our love Oh, we belong together Won't you believe in my song?

Yeah Lady Your love's the only love I need Oh, and beside me is where I want you to be Whoa, 'cause my love My love, yeah There's something I want you to know You're the love of my life You're my lady Oh, that's your lady.

I love you, man.

You're my lady I love you so much, man.

Love you.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] Hello, everybody!

How about it for the team?

[ Cheers and applause ] Mr. Kenneth Rogers, everybody.

[ Chuckles ] I tell you what.

We have been so excited about this, 'cause Kenny, of course, says he's retiring.

I want to see what condition your condition's really in.

[ Laughter ] Looks good to me.

Don't he you?

Yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ] Anyway, Kenny, I just wanted to say that I'm really, really proud of you.

I just hope that many, many years from now when I'm older... [ Laughter ] ...that I'll know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, yeah.

[ Laughter ] Anyway, we've been accused of it all through the years.

You are retiring.

You wanna hold 'em now?

Yeah, I think so.

[ Laughter ] [ Cheers and applause ] Oh.

By golly.

He told me not to embarrass him.

Well, anyway, why don't you talk a little bit?

It's all about you, but I had to get you good.

I will tell you this.

I am happy to be here, and you guys have made this a very special night for me.

And a special thanks to all the talent who've been up here.

That's been great for me.

I sat over there listening, and I enjoyed it.

Every song.

I think -- Actually, I don't think anybody in the history of music has ever had a better ear for hit songs, nor could they sing 'em better than you.

All the years I've worked with Kenny, I never get tired of hearing him sing.

That's so nice.

I'm serious.

I love your voice, and I've really just been so honored and so proud to sing with you.

And we've become such good friends through the years, and there's a song that we are gonna sing.

Yeah.

Okay.

This is kind of our song, too.

Right?

[ Chuckles ] You want me to sit closer to you in case I want to touch you or something?

What will I do when you're gone?

Who's gonna tell me the truth?

Who's gonna finish the stories I start The way you always do?

When somebody knocks at the door And someone new walks in I will smile and shake their hands But you can't make old friends You can't make old friends You can't make old friends It was you and me Yep.

Since way back when But you can't make old friends Sing something.

Alright.

How will I sing when you're gone?

'Cause it wont sound the same Who will join in on those harmony parts When I call your name?

You can't make old friends You can't make old friends It was you and me since way back when You can't make old friends When Saint Peter opens the gate And you come walking in I will be there just waiting for you 'Cause you can't make old friends You can't make old friends.

No.

And when I am out on the stage all alone And I hear the music begin We all know that the show must go on But you can't make old friends No, no You can't make old friends Can't make old friends And you and me will be young again [ Indistinct ] [ Laughs ] I'm sorry I messed that up.

You and me will be together again You can't make old friends.

What?

Not the way you've always been.

You can't make old friends.

Just say that.

'Cause you can't make old friends.

Good.

Good.

[ Laughs ] Oh, Kenny, I love you.

And you can't make old friends.

[ Cheers and applause ] But, you know... we have been friends for so long people are always saying to me, "Where's Kenny?

How's Kenny?"

I mean, they really think we're a couple.

Well, we're a couple of face lifts away from looking our age, ain't we?

[ Laughter ] The only reason I ever get plastic surgery, though, is to keep my islands from sinking in the stream.

[ Laughter ] Oh!

I get it.

But you know what?

When I had to get -- I had to get that off my chest right up front.

But anyway, Kenny, I just think you're great.

And I go on with a lot of foolishness, a lot of craziness, 'cause I like to have fun, try to lighten things up.

But there is a place deep in my country heart that goes beyond understanding and goes beyond the jokes and goes beyond everything else, 'cause I know I'm artificial out here, but I like to think my heart's real and that's probably the only thing real about me.

But in that heart of mine...

I have a spot for you that is never, ever going to be touched by anybody else, and I'm gonna hold you there forever.

And I want to sing you a song that you -- I guess you guys know "I Will Always Love You."

Do you know that?

I want to sing this to you tonight just from me.

Oh, that's nice.

Thank you.

Alright?

Okay, so you just sit there and take it.

Okay.

Alright.

[ Humming ] If I should stay I would only be in your way So, I'll go, but I know I'll think of you Each step of my way And I will always love you I will always love you Bittersweet memories I guess that's all I'll be taking with me Goodbye.

Please, now don't you cry.

'Cause we both know that I'm not what you need But I will always love you I will always love you And I hope life treats you real kind, and I hope you have all that you've ever dreamed of.

Oh, and I do wish you joy and I wish you lots and lots of happiness.

But above all this, I wish you love And I will always Sing with me!

Always love you I will always love you I will always lo-o-o-ove You You know I'll always love you Oh, Kenny.

[ Cheers and applause ] That is so nice.

Thank you so much.

And now without the stool... Okay.

You want to do -- I can't think of anybody I would rather sail away with, uh-huh.

Let's sail.

Okay.

[ Laughs ] And everybody gets to sing on this one.

Are you ready for us to do our final "Islands in the Stream"?

I am ready.

Alright.

Let's go!

Baby, when I met you, there was peace unknown I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb I was soft inside There was something going on Oh, I know.

You do something to me that I can't explain Hold me closer and I feel no pain Every beat of my heart We got something going on Tender love is blind It requires a dedication All this love we feel needs no conversation We ride it together, ah ha Making love with each other, ah ha Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong?

Sail away with me To another world And we rely on each other, ah ha From one lover to another, ah ha Can I go over and sing to them?

Sure.

I can't live without you if the love is gone Everything is nothing if you got no one You just walk in the night Slowly losing sight of the real thing But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt Too deep in love and we got no way out And the message is clear This could be the year for the real thing No more will you cry Baby, I will hurt you never We start and end as one In love forever We can ride it together, ah ha Making love with each other, ah ha Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong?

Sail away with me To another world And we rely on each other, ah ha From one lover to another, ah ha Come on, sail [ Indistinct ] Sail away with me Come on, sail Come on, sail away with me-e-e-e-e-e Sail away!

[ Laughs ] Thank you guys so much.

Love you!

Thank you!

We appreciate it more than you know.

[ Cheers and applause ] Kenny, how about we go out like rock stars?

Absolutely.

One, two, three.

[ Microphones thud ] [ Cheers and applause ] Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong?

Sail away with me