Death letter blues

I received a letter, it was addressed in red
I received a letter, it was addressed in red
It said "Come on home daddy, your mama is dead"

I went to the depot, caught the train a-flyin'
I went to the depot, caught the train a-flyin'
When I walked in her door, saw my little baby's dyin'

I went to her bedside, looked down in her face
I went to her bedside, looked down in her face
Said "I love you, love you, baby but I just can't take your place"

Well you don't mind your water, until your well runs dry
Well you don't mind your water, until your well runs dry
You don't miss your mama, till the day she's gonna die