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 drums.
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.
There upon his arm was a tattooed heart and I saw my mother's name.