The Letter Edged In Black

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"