I was standin' by my window yesterday morning
Without a thought of sorrow or of care
When I saw the postman comin' up the pathway
With such a smiling face and jolly air.

He rang the bell and whistled as he waited
Then he said; "Good morning to you, Jack"
But he little knew the sorrow that he brought me
When he handed me a letter edged in black.

With trembling hands I took the letter from him
I open it and sifted what it said:
"Come home my boy, your dear old daddy wants you
Come home my boy, your dear old mother's dead."

--- Instrumental ---

"The last words your mother ever uttered
Tell my boy I want him to come back
My eyes are blurred, my poor old heart is breaking
As, I write to you this letter edged in black."

"Those angry words I wish I'd never spoken
You know I didn't mean them, don't you, Jack
May the angels bear me witness, I am asking
Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black."