The Telegram
This song is based on a true story as told to me by Bob Hammond.
Just imagine the poor mother, knowing that one of her sons had been killed in the war as the postman arrived at the door with the telegram. There must have been thoughts racing through her head as she tried to work out which one would be the lesser loss. It mustn’t be her favourite child, Wyn – but even thinking that filled her with guilt. Then imagine the mind numbing horror as she discovered all three had been killed.
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See the old lady who sits by the phone
A hundred years old she lives alone
The postman is coming up to her door
He's brought her a telegram - She doesn't want any more
She closes her eyes to hold back the tears
Memories flood in and wash back the years
Fifty years earlier to nineteen fifteen
When the nightmare of war shattered her dreams
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She had three sons Evan, Dilwyn and Wyn
Wyn was the youngest with the disarming grin
Evan, the oldest, Dilwyn inbetween
They answered the call back in nineteen fourteen
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She read of the battles with fear mixed with pride
Prayed to God they'd come back alive
Telegrams started coming to some her friends
About boys in the village she'd not see again
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On the day the postman came up to her door
She knew one of her boys would not be back from the war
She thought of Evan, then Dilwyn, then Wyn
Thought of his smile said "Oh God, not him"
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The postman looked down into her sad eyes
It was always like this when someone had died
With faltering voice she said give it to me
But instead of one telegram, he gave her three
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