The Letter Edged in Black

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."...