Jerry Lee Lewis

Songwriter: Jimmie Rodgers Hoyt Bryant

Producer: Jerry Kennedy

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

Now son don't start drinking or gambling promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed since that parting that promise I've broke I must say
I started drinking for past time at last Lord 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
Cards were delt all round the table each man took a card from the draw
But I drew the one that would beat them I turned it here's what I saw

I saw mama's picture somehow she seemed to say
Son you have broken your promise I tossed those cards away
My winnings I gave to a newsboy cause I knew I was wrong from the start
And I'll never forget that promise to mother the Queen of my heart

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

more tracks from the album

Touching Home

From the album

Touching Home (1971)

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Mother, the Queen of My HeartJerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis

Touching Home