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 old mother's dear dead "

Your mother's words The last she 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 "

I bowed my head in sadness and in sorrow

The sunshine of my life it all had fled

Since the post man brought

That letter yesterday morning

"Saying come home my boy

Your old mother's dear dead "

Always we said Forget those angry words

That we had spoken

You know I never mean them don't you Jack

May the angels bear as witness I am asking

Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black