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