I had a home down in Texas down where the bluebonnets grew
I had the kindest old mother how happy we were just we two
Till one day the angels called her that debt we all have to pay
She'd call me close to her bedside these last few words to say

Son don't start drinking and gambling promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed as we parted that promise I've broke I must say
I started gambling for past time at last 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
The cards were delt round the table each man took a card on the draw
I drew the one that would beat them I turned it here's what I saw

I saw mother's picture somehow she seemed to say
Son you have broken your promise so I tossed the cards away
My winnings I gave to a newsboy I knew I was wrong from the start
I'll never forget that promise to the mother the Queen of my heart
Oh le-ee oh le-ee oh le-ee