The Letter Edged In Black

I was standing by the window yesterday morning,
Without a thought of worry or regret
When I saw the postman coming down the pathway
He was bringing me a letter edged in black
He rang the bell and whistled while he waited,
And then he said, Good morning to you, Jack.
But he never knew the sorrow he had brought me
When he handed me the 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 your mother ever uttered,
Were tell my boy I want him to come back.
My eyes are dimmed, my poor old heart is breaking,
And I'm writing you this letter edged in black.
I bow my head in sadness and in silence,
The sunlight 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.