Why did you give up that ace of spade,
When you knew you had it made?
You almost won the game,
But, you threw that card in,
And, aimed for higher then,
The life of now and win.

You had that ace within your hand,
Why stake for higher ground?
Then, when the cards turned all black,
You felt your aim too high.
You cried to Heaven bleary eyed,
And found you'd hit "bullseye".

There's that Ace of Hearts again,
You smile, with dirty face.
While that ace of diamonds,
looks at you, with such distaste,

And, that guy over there, he smiles,
With love to steal and cheat.
He thinks he got the pot away.
He laughs with shrill delight.
"You stupid fool, to throw that spade away",
His echoed laugh a fright.

The stakes are getting higher,
As the dealer shuffles each card.
He smokes with brim and fire.
The sweat is to the brow,
As all of life looks hard,
And you cry in such defeat.

It seems life is too bitter,
And, you forgot the sweet.
Your place is dark,
And, smoke has filled the room.

There's that Ace of Hearts again,
To erase your bitter gloom.
You know the stakes are too high.

There's that ace of spade again.
You hang your head and cry;
You even wonder why,
You should even try.

You throw that card back in,
And dealer laughs with cunning fun.
He knows you've come undone,
And, thinks that he has won.

He throws his card in.
It is a club unsweet.

You want to win the game so bad,
You refuse to take defeat.
That winner, sinner, there,
Oh, how he loves to prance.
Without the Ace of Hearts,
You know, you haven't got a chance.
You want to throw the whole pot in;
Your hands up in the air.
You think that there is no one to care,
And, life is so unfair.

One last card for this dealer to deal.
These aren't really weary tears,
It's just the way you feel.
Who would have ever thought,
You would be the winner,
As Ace of Hearts comes through?
You no longer the wicked sinner.
God really cares for you.
You so free from sin,
You never have to play this game again.

Ida Rosetta Raye Johnson