Letter Edged In Black Lyrics - Hank Thompson

I was standing by my window yesterday morning 

Without a thought of worry or of care 

When I saw the postman coming up the pathway 

With such a smiling face and jolly air 

He rang the doorbell and he whistled as he waited 

He smiled and said good morning to you Jack 

But he little knew the sorrow that he brought me 

As he handed me a letter edged in black 

Then with trembling hands I took the letter from him 

I opened it and this is what it said 

Come home my boy your dear old father needs you 

Come home my boy your dear old mother's dead 

Those words the last your mother ever uttered 

Were tell my boy I want him to come back 

My eyes are blurred my poor old heart is breaking 

As I'm writing you this letter edged in black 

Then I bowed my head and in silence and in sorrow 

The sunshine in my life it all had left 

Since the postman brought that letter yesterday morning 

Saying come home my boy your dear old mother's dead 

Those harsh words I'm sorry they were never spoken 

You know I didn't mean them don't you Jack 

The angels bear me witness I am asking 

Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black