The Letter Edged In Black

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

Well, he rang the bell and
Whistled as he waited
Then he said "Good mornin' to ya, 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 wants you
Come home my boy
Your dear old mother's dead"
The last words that your
Mother ever uttered was:
"Tell my boy I want him to come back
My eyes are dim
My poor old heart is breaking
And, I'm writing you this
Letter edged in black"
I bowed my head in 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 old mother's dead"

"Those angry words I wish I'd never spoken
You know I never meant them, don't you
Jack?
May the angels bear me witness, I am asking
Your forgiveness in this letter
Edged in black"