I Saw My Mother's Name

Your daddy was a gambling man My ... He child But he was me. I know your daddy loved me too For tattooed on his arm Was a heart of love that bore 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 a gang was gathered 'round We dealt a hand of draw An old man sat across from me And this is what I saw. >From out his sleeve he pulled a 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 slid back and upon his arm I could see so plain. I gazed down at his lifeless form And I hung my head in shame For upon his arm was a tattooed heart And I saw my mother's name.