I was standing by my window yesterday morning
Without a thought of worry or of care
When I saw a postman coming up the pathway
With such a happy face and jolly air.

He rang the bell and he 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 hands I took that letter from him
I broke the seal and this is what it said
Come 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 breaking
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 had fled
Since the postman brought that letter yesterday morning
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...