The Last Letter
by Rex Griffin
"Rex told me that at
the time he wrote 'The Last Letter' he lived in New
Orleans at the Tutweiler Hotel. It was the largest hotel
they had at that time. He was married to a girl named
Margaret. They didn't get along too well, as they were
both young. He said at the time he wrote the song was
the only time they had gotten along. They were getting
along just fine. One day he came in and sat down to the
baby grand piano he had in the apartment and wrote 'The
Last Letter.' It wasn't in any way a song about him or
his life in general, just a song." —Dorothy Griffin
Smith
The Last Letter
Why do you treat me as if I was only a friend?
What have I done that makes you so different and cold?
Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again
Will you be happy when you are withered and old?
I cannot offer you diamonds and mansions so fine
I cannot offer you clothes that your young body craves
But if you say that you long to forever be mine
Think of the heartaches, the tears and sorrow you'll
save.
When you are lonely and tired of another man's gold
When you are weary remember this letter, my own
Don't try to answer though I suffer anguish untold
If you don't love me I wish you would leave me alone.
While I am writing this letter I think of the past
And of the promises that you are breaking so free
But to this world I will soon say my farewell at last
I will be gone when you reads this last letter from me.
