A word or two to Mary please write a letter for me That's what my buddy said to me today I couldn't keep from crying sad eyes're looking at me He said I'll tell you what I wanted to say Oh I don't mind dyin' I just hate to leave you alone And I wish that I could watch the children grow But there's no use denyin' I won't be coming back home Just a word or two to you before I go Down on my knees beside him I begged my buddy to live I told the Lord to please take me instead But a word or two to Mary was all my buddy could give And just these words were all your husband said Oh I don't mind dyin'... [ steel ] A word or two to Mary I must have some of my own He was the truest friend I ever had I'll keep writing letters to her help the children along Tell them in a way that it's from their dad He didn't mind dyin' he just hated to leave you alone And he wished that he could see his children grow I'll be standing by 'em as I know he'd want me to And write a word or two to Mary as they grow And write a word or two to Mary as they grow