I was standing by my window yesterday morning

Without a thought of worry or of care

When I saw the postman coming up the pathway

With such a smiling face and jolly air



He rang the doorbell and he whistled as he waited

He smiled and 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



Then with trembling hands I took the letter from him

I opened it and this is what it said

Come home my boy your dear old father needs you

Come home my boy your dear old mother's dead



Those words the last your mother ever uttered

Were tell my boy I want him to come back

My eyes are blurred my poor old heart is breaking

As I'm writing you this letter edged in black



Then I bowed my head and in silence and in sorrow

The sunshine in my life it all had left

Since the postman brought that letter yesterday morning

Saying come home my boy your dear old mother's dead



Those harsh words I'm sorry they were never spoken

You know I didn't mean them don't you Jack

The angels bear me witness I am asking

Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black