Words & Music By: Steve Gillette & John Charles Quarto
©1995 Compass Rose Music/Foreshadow Songs (BMI)
As performed by: Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen
On "The Light of the Day" on Compass Rose Music (CRM-7CD)

From the "The Light of the Day" album insert:

Our song for our old friend, Gamble Rogers, storyteller and figerpicking legend. Gamble drowned in October 1991, helping to rescue a man in trouble in storm surf off a beach near St. Augustine, Florida which is now known as Gamble Rogers State Park.

Listen to "Song for Gamble"

Song for Gamble

I remember Gamble Rogers
He was a gentleman with a guitar
He's gone on a little further now
A little deeper in the stars
He went down into the water
To help to save a drowning man
And he left this world, holding out his hand.

He was a master at the microphone
Had a subtle wisdom with a Southern tone
Mississippi John and Agememnon Jones
He had that magic in his hands.
He played the old songs and they still ring true
He was a poet and philosopher too
He said life is just what happens to you
While you're making other plans

I remember Gamble Rogers
He was a gentleman with a guitar
He's gone on a little further now
A little deeper in the stars
He went down into the water
To help to save a drowning man
And he left this world, holding out his hand.

He had the gift of innocence
And a fondness for the key of "E"
He always had that air of thankful dignity
From The Tradewinds to The Troubadour
He was a celebrated raconteur
He left 'em laughing by the back stage door
Left 'em cryin' out for more.

I remember Gamble Rogers
He was a gentleman with a guitar
He's gone on a little further now
A little deeper in the stars
He went down into the water
To help to save a drowning man
And he left this world, holding out his hand.

© Steady Arm Music.