One mornin' when he offed that old bond A man caught old and new
Stood by the express office Showin' sign the grief and care
And when the clerk approached him With trembling words he said
I'm waitin' for my boy, sir He's a-comin' home today
He's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I am
He's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at night
You have made a slight mistake And you must surely know
That this is a telegraph office, sir And not a town depot
And if your boy is comin' home It's perfect modesty
You'll find him with the passenger, sir And station just over the way
He's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I am
He's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at night
You don't understand me, sir The old man quickly said
He's a-comin' not as a pastor But by express instead
And when the whistle pierced the air And the train came in on sign
The old man rose in a restless pace And quickly rushed outside
He's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I am
He's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at night
And when the long white casket Was lowered to the ground
Showing signs of grief and fear For those who'd gathered round
Do not treat him roughly, boy He contains that Arlen Jack
He went away as you boys are This way he's a-comin' back
He broke his poor old mother's heart Went away, left her alone
And this is the way they all come back When they join the boys in blue
He's comin' home to mother He's not comin' as I am
He's comin' home in a casket, sir He's a-comin' for me at night