I was standin' by my window yesterday morning

Without a thought of worry or of care

When I saw the postman comin' up the pathway

With such a happy 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 he had brought me

When he handed me a letter edged in black.



With trembling hand I took this 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."



I bowed my head in sorrow and in sadness

The sunshine of my life, it all had fled

When the post man brought that letter yesterday morning

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



"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

So, I'm writing you this letter edged in black."



"Forget those angry words that we had spoken

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

May the angels bear as witness, I am asking

Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black."