The Faded Letter - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
THE FADED LETTER. Copyright, 1893, by F. J. Tierney. Words and Music by F. J. Tierney. 
I found yesterday an old faded letter, I received many long years ago; It had lain all the time within a dusty drawer, All forgotten by me, you know. 'Twas as yellow with age, the writing was dim. The words I could scarcely see, But I cannot forget the sorrow and regret That this old faded letter bro't to me. 
Refrain. Never be too hasty, for sometime you may be wrong, 'Tis better to be sure and injure none; When you're filled with ire, keep powder from the fire, Right is might the world all round. 
The letter was from a sweetheart that I worshipped, And I'd heard he'd proven untrue; I sent back his ring And all his pretty trinkets, I tho't it the thing to do. He wrote me and showed that I was in the wrong, And prov'd that he was faithful to me, But the letter went astray and during the delay My faithful lover Jack was lost at sea. Refrain. 
It reached me at last and told me the story, And I tearfully locked it away; It's lain there alone through all these weary years, Where I found it but yesterday. To read it again brings back to me the past, And in memory I dimly see The anguish of years, the bitter blinding tears, That this old faded letter bro't to me. -Refrain.