Lyrics:

Dear John, Oh, how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, Dear John.

Recitation:

I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
And he handed me a letter, I was happy as I could be
For the fighting was all over and the battle had been won
Then I opened up the letter and it started, 'Dear John.'

Dear John, Oh, how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love
for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, Dear John.

Recitation:

Will you please send back my picture, my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding, you won't care, dear, anyhow
Now the ceremony has started and I'll wed your brother Don
Will you wish us happiness forever, Dear John