I was standing by my window yesterday mornin'
Without a thought of worry or of care
When I saw the postman coming up the pathway
With such a happy face and jolly air
He rang the bell and whistled as he waited
And then he said; "Good morning to you Jack"
But he little knew the sorrow that he brought me
As he handed me a letter edged in black
With trembling hand I took that letter from him
I broke the seal and this is what it said:
3Come home my boy, your dear old father wants you"
"Come home my boy, your dear old mother's dead"
The last words your mother ever uttered
Were: "Tell my boy I want him to come back"
My eyes are blurred, my poor old heart is breakin
While I'm writing you, this letter edged in black
I bowed my head in sorrow and in silence
The sunshine of my life, it all has fled
Since the postman brought that letter yesterday mornin
"Come home my boy, your dear old mother's dead"
"Those angry words I wish I'd never spoken
You know I did not mean them, don't you Jack
May the angels bear this message I am sending
Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black"