I Saw My Mother's Name

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
For tattooed on his arm
Was a heart of love that bore 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 a gang was gathered 'round
We dealt a hand of draw
An old man sat across from me
And this is what I saw.
From out his sleeve he pulled a 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 slid back and upon his arm
I could see so plain.
I gazed down at his lifeless form
And I hung my head in shame
For upon his arm was a tattooed heart
And I saw my mother's name.