I had a home out in Texas Out where the blue bonnets grew;

voiceCollected by M.C. Parler Sung by Bessie Atchley Transcribed by Bessie Atchley Green Forest, Arkansas July 7, 1960 Reel 388, Item 1 Mother Queen of My Heart I had a homs out in Texas Out where the blue bonnets grew; I had the finest old mother, How happy we were just we two. One day the angels called her A debt that we all have to pay She called me close to her bedside And to me these words she did say. "Son, don't start drinking and gambling Promise that you'll never go astray," Years have gone by since this parting This promise I broke I must say. I started drinking and gambling Until I was just like them all I bet all my clothes and my money Not dreaming that I'd ever fall. One night I bet all my money And nothing was left to be seen; One card was needed to beat them And that card was the queen. The cards were dealt around the table Each man took a card for his draw I drew the card that was needed I turned it and here's what I saw. I saw my dear mother's picture And somehow it seemed to say "Son, you have broken your promise" And I tossed those cards away. I gave my winnings to a newsboy I knew I was wrong from the start I'll ne'er more forget my promise To mother the queen of my heart.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation