Funerals can truly be augmented by a poem that is apt and fitting for the person you have just lost. The following list of funeral poems about cards are perfect for those who loved games like bridge, canasta, poker, and various other card-based activities.
Capitulation
Author Unknown
I’m giving up bridge – Tonight’s my last night
It’s amen to Staymen, I give up the fight.
The insults and muddles are giving me troubles
And I can’t sleep at night for thinking of doubles.
My cards are all rotten and I have forgotten
Who’s played and what’s trumps and what’s gone on my right!
So for now it’s all over – I’m off to the back wood
I’m bidding good-bye to Gerber and Blackwood.
I can’t stand the hassle, I can’t stand the pain
I’m getting those bad cards again and again.
So I’m giving up bridge – Tonight’s a bad night.
Declarer is horrid and nothing’s going right.
My partner’s a dope and I’m losing all hope.
And when s/he says “double” I know we’re in trouble.
My points are not high and I’m wondering why
S/he kept on bidding right up to the sky.
We’re in seven spades and all my hope fades
When surprise, surprise, the high bidding pays!
We’re winning all tricks, the defenders feel sick,
And I have to admit my partner’s a brick.
But I’m giving up bridge –Tonight’s my last night.!
Farewell to conventions – I give up the fight.
So I leave with few words but some that are true,
Bridge is a game – not for me but for you.
So be kind to your partners and don’t mind their cheek.
For it’s only a game – Oh! Yes. I’ll see you next week!
The Gambler
originally sung by Kenny Rogers
On a warm summer’s evening
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin’
Out the window at the darkness
The boredom overtook us
And he began to speak.
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
Out of readin’ people’s faces
Knowin’ what the 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’ve 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 dealin’s done.
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ 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’d finished speakin’
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
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’ve 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 dealin’s done.
A Keen Bridge Player
by Simon Lucas
A keen Bridge player from Chard
Found losing so terribly hard
Imagine how she felt
When she saw she’d been dealt
Three jokers and a bridge scoring card?
Love Is Like A Game Of Cards
by Titia Geertman
Love is like a game of cards,
you win, you pass, you lose.
Life is like a poker game,
depends which bluff you choose.
And in the game of life and love,
there are the Kings and Queens.
They rule love’s game in their own way,
at least that’s how it seems
Sometimes Jacks come out to play,
they’re a joyful bunch and kind.
It happens they overrule the Kings,
but isn’t it true that love is blind?
However they can’t live without,
the nine, ten, two or eight.
The ‘common’ numbers of life’s game,
they’ll set the balance straight.
Then there are the Jokers,
they’ve lots of rules, not always fair.
When you let them play your game,
keep watch and take good care.
The lowest of them all is Ace,
but sometimes he’s on top above
and that’s the moral of this verse:
don’t give up the game of love.
To access our full list of funeral poems, click here.
All poems featured on this website are free to use during any ceremony, although it is good practice to make sure the author is mentioned, if known. Should you require a celebrant for your ceremony, be it a funeral, a wedding, a naming ceremony or something else, feel free to get in touch. I am a double award-nominated Family and Funeral Celebrant covering the entire UK, and would be happy to help you commemorate in a meaningful and personal way.
