Letter Edged In Black

Cat. #0600 (MFH #370) - As sung by Viola Scott, Pittsburg, Kansas on July 5, 1961

VERSE 1
I was standing by my window yesterday morning
Without a thought of worry or of care
When I saw th postman coming up th pathway
With such a merry face an' jolly air

VERSE 2
He rang th bell an' whistled as he waited
And he said, Good morning to you Jack,
But he little knew th sorry that he brought me
When he handed me a letter edged in black

VERSE 3
With trembling hands I took th letter from him
I broke th seal an' this is what it said:
Come home my boy, your poor ole Father wants you
Please come home, my boy, your dear ole Mother's dead

VERSE 4
Th last words your Mother ever uttered
Were, tell my boy I want him to come back,
My eyes are dim, my poor heart is breaking
As I'm writing you this letter edged in black

VERSE 5
Those angry words I wish I'd never spoken
You know I didn't mean them don't you, Jack
And may the angels bear me silent witness
Your forgiven in this letter edged in black

VERSE 6
I bow my head in silence and in sorrow
Th sunlight of my life, it all has fled
Since th postman brought that letter yesterday morning
Saying, please come home you poor ol Mother's dead

VERSE 7
I can see th postman coming up th pathway
Coming up th pathway with his pack
But he little knew th sorrow that he brought me
When he handed me that letter edged in black

Variants