Don’t Burn Mister Lucky — A flamboyant adult gambler steps from a small Merced card room into sunrise as spent matches and cooling cards transform into poppies

The songbook

Don’t Burn Mister Lucky

Words by Douglas Heyes Jr. Listen to the recorded versions and follow the lyric below.

Original Doug Heyes lyrics · AI-generated music & vocals

Warnings about money, freedom and crossing the line open into memories of being young, unseen and already heartbroken. The speaker offers caution without trying to prevent another person's departure. Beneath the mysterious advice about Mister Lucky is a gentler request to remember what is being left behind and perhaps try again.

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Recorded versions

3 recordings. Different voices and arrangements bring another side of the song into the light.

Lyrics

Don’t Burn Mister Lucky

Words by Douglas Heyes Jr

Save Lyrics as Text
DON’T BURN MISTER LUCKY
Don’t look over your shoulder
When you walk across the line
Don’t spend another dollar
When you’re down to your last dime
Don’t give up your freedom
For another life of crime
And don’t burn Mr. Lucky
Before it’s time

Do you remember your first time
Or did you just forget
The first time that you drank the wine
And smoked a cigarette
Did you take from the plate
For your Friday night date
Then back to church on Sunday
To pray your way to Monday?

Did they see you at all
When you were so small
They couldn’t hear your footsteps
Echo down the hall
Your heart already broken
In the words unspoken
While your dreams go up in smoke
In shadows on the wall

So don’t you lie awake at night
Cuz everything will be all right
And if you want to chase the Sun
I won’t stop you little one
If your rainbow’s golden band
Turns into a one-night stand
Remember when you walk away
Just what you left behind
And don’t burn Mr Lucky
Before it’s time

Don’t look over your shoulder
When you walk across the line
Don’t spend another dollar
When you’re down to your last dime
Maybe we could try again
Just give me a sign
And don’t burn Mr. Lucky
Before it’s time
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