I was standing by my window yesterday morning
Without a thought of worry or regret
When I saw the postman coming down the pathway
He was bringin' me a letter edged in black

Well, He rang the bell and he whistled while he waited
And then he said "good morning to you Jack"
But he never knew the sorrow that he brought me
When he handed me that letter edged in black

With trembling hand I took the letter from him
I broke the seal and this is what it said:
"Come home, my boy, your dear old father want you
Come home, my boy, your dear old mother's dead"

"The last words that your mother's ever uttered
Was, 'Tell my boy I want him to come back'
My eyes are doomed my poor old heart is breaking
And I'm writing you this letter edged in black"

I belt my reading sorrow and in silence
The sunshine of my life, it all has fled
Since the postman brought that letter yesterday morning
Saying: "come home, my boy, your poor mother's dead"

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