One mornin' when he offed that old bond A man caught old and newStood by the express office Showin' sign the grief and careAnd when the clerk approached him With trembling words he saidI'm waitin' for my boy, sir He's a-comin' home todayHe's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I amHe's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at nightYou have made a slight mistake And you must surely knowThat this is a telegraph office, sir And not a town depotAnd if your boy is comin' home It's perfect modestyYou'll find him with the passenger, sir And station just over the wayHe's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I amHe's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at nightYou don't understand me, sir The old man quickly saidHe's a-comin' not as a pastor But by express insteadAnd when the whistle pierced the air And the train came in on signThe old man rose in a restless pace And quickly rushed outsideHe's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I amHe's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at nightAnd when the long white casket Was lowered to the groundShowing signs of grief and fear For those who'd gathered roundDo not treat him roughly, boy He contains that Arlen JackHe went away as you boys are This way he's a-comin' backHe broke his poor old mother's heart Went away, left her aloneAnd this is the way they all come back When they join the boys in blueHe's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I amHe's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at night