I had a home down in Texas
Down where the blue bonnets grew
I had the kindest old mother
How happy we were just we two
Till one day the angels called her
A debt that we all have to pay
She called me close to her bedside
To me these words she did say
Son don't start drinking and gambling
Promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed since we parted
My promise I've broke I must say
I started gambling for pastime
Soon I was just like them all
I bet my clothes and my money
Not thinking that I'd ever fall
One day I bet all my money
Not a thing was left to be seen
All that I needed to break them
Was one card and that was a queen
The cards were dealt round the table
Each man took one from the draw
I drew the one that would beat them
I turned it and here?s what I saw
I saw my mother's picture
And to me she seemed to say
Son you have broken your promise
So I tossed the cards away
I gave all my winnings to a newsboy
I knew I was wrong from the start
I'll never forget that promise
To my Mother the queen of my heart