Way back in 2012, eight years ago, Charley Noble promised to post the version from Sigmund Spaeth. But he didn't. Here it is, from pages 236-238 of Sigmund Spaeth's Weep Some More, My Lady (Doubleday, 1927).

Notes: Another song that the editor has tried for a long time to secure is known as "A Pack of Cards." F.P.A., Dietz, and Webster, the cartoonist, were all able to quote it in part, but it was Joseph Priaulx of Ditson's who finally landed a complete copy. We admit that its presence in these pages fills us with an unholy joy.

A PACK OF CARDS

One night as I sat by my fireside so weary,
And dreaming of friends who were far, far away;
My memory brought me some tho'ts sad and dreary,
Yet others came, too, that were cheerful and gay.
When all of a sudden I found my eyes resting
On something that brought many scenes to my mind,
'Twas an old pack of cards, and some tales interesting,
I thought that I might in their history find!
The first scene I saw that night,
I thought was quite a pleasant sight,
A grand old room ablaze with light,
I whispered, "Kind regards."
Whilst round the board sat young and old,
They played for love and not for gold,
Whilst joy and sorrow all untold,
Was in that pack of cards!

The next scene I saw filled my heart with great pity,
It was a young man and his parents I knew,
‘Twas their only son whom they’d sent to the city
To study, and grow up a gentleman true,
A weekly allowance they thought would suffice him,
To live on the best and for studies to pay,
They knew not that evil companions enticed him
Away from his studies at poker to play!

[Moderato] I saw him as he left his seat,
He never thought his pals would cheat,
Each time he played he met defeat,
And still he called them pards;
But there will come a reckoning day,
And he will thro’ this foolish play,
Bring sorrow in the old folks’ way,
All thro’ that pack of cards!

The last scene of all I beheld with much sorrow,
For there was the scene of the gambler’s black fate,
No thought had they got of the waking to-morrow
Though then they’d repent but to find it too late.
The bright gold was stacked by the side of each player,
The miser’s black greed was in every man’s heart,
As quickly the bets passed twixt backer and layer,
And ruin was King in the Devil’s slave mart!

[Moderato] “I’ll stake a hundred on this game,”
“I’ll go you, sir, I’ll do the same,”
Who cares for misery and shame,
As each his treasure guards
“You lie! I saw you turn that ace,”
A smashing blow right in the face,
A pistol shot, and death’s disgrace,
Was in that pack of cards!


Interesting, but not the same song. I'll post the melody if anyone is interested.

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Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry:

Pack of Cards, A

DESCRIPTION: "One night as I sat by my fireside so weary..... When all of a sudden I found my eyes resting On something that brought many scenes to my mind, 'Twas an old pack of cards." The singer tells talesof a gambler slowly dies from gambling and poverty
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1928 (Shay-Barroom)
KEYWORDS: gambling death hardtimes cards
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Shay-Barroom, pp. 117-119, "A Pack of Cards" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #9535
File: SBar117

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