I had a home down in Texas back where the Bluebonnet grew
I had the kindest old mother how happy we were just we two
But one day the angels called her this parting we all have to pay
She called me close to her bedside and these are the words she did say
Son don't start drinking and gambling promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed since our parting that promise I've broke I must say
I started in gambling for past time at last I was just like them all
I bet all my clothes and my money not dreaming that I'd ever fall
[ fiddle ]
One night I've spent all my money nothing was left to be seen
And all that I had for to break them was one card and that was a Queen
Cards were delt all round the table each man took a card on the draw
I drew the one that would break them I turned it and here's what I saw
I saw a my mother's picture and somehow it seemed to say
Son you have broken your promise then I threw the cards away
My winnings I gave to a newsboy I knew I was wrong from the start
But I'll never forget that promise to my mother the Queen of my heart