I Saw My Mother's Name Lyrics - Hank Thompson

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