Merle Haggard

Mother, The queen of my heart

I had a home out in Texas,
where the beautiful blue bonnet's 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 that promise,
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.
I needed but one card to break them,
and that card it was a queen.
The cards were dealt round the table,
each man took one from the draw.
I drew the card that was needed,
and turning it I saw.

I saw my mother's picture,
and to me she seemed to say.
"Son, you have broken your promise,"
and I tossed the cards away.
I gave all my winnings to newsboys,
for gambling and i must part
I'll never forget that promise,
to my Mother, the queen of my heart.