I Saw My Mother's Name lyrics

Song information

Artist: Hank Thompson
Album: Songs Of The Brazos Valley

Lyrics

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 delt 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