Johnny Cash — 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."