I was standing by my window yesterday morning Without a thought of worry or of careWhen I saw the postman coming up the pathway With such a smiling face and jolly airHe rang the doorbell and whistled as he waited He smiled and said good morning to you, JackBut he little knew the sorrow that he brought me As he handed me a letter edged in blackThen with trembling hands I took the letter from him I opened it and this is what it saidCome home, my boy, your dear old father needs you Come home, my boy, your dear old mother's deadThose words the last your mother ever uttered Were tell my boy I want him to come byMy eyes are blurred, my poor old heart is breaking As I'm writing you this letter edged in blackThen I bowed my head in silence and in sorrow The sunshine in my life it all had fledSince the postman brought that letter yesterday morning Saying come home, my boy, your dear old mother's deadThose harsh words, I'm sorry they were spoken You know I didn't mean them, don't you, JackThe angels bear me witness, I am asking Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black