I Saw My Mother's Name

Your daddy was a gambling man

My mother said to me

He left me when you were a child

But he was all this world to me

I know your daddy loved me too

From tattoo on his arms

Was a heart of love that bored my name

And was his good luck charm

I didn't heed my mother's words

To leave the cards alone

I took to gambling just like Dad

And left my mother's home

One night the gang was gathered round

We dealt the hand of draw

An old man sat across from me

And this is what I saw

From out his sleeve he pulled the card

And I pulled out my gun

I shot him dead not knowing then

What evil I had done

He fell across the table

His hands reached out in vain

His sleeve slipped back and upon his arm

I could see so plain

I gazed down at his lifeless arm

And I hung my head in shame

For upon his arm was tattooed heart

And I saw my mother's name