From the sheet music at Indiana University:


ONLY A MESSAGE FROM HOME SWEET HOME
Words by Carroll Fleming. Music by Edmond N. Florant.
New York: M. Witmark & Sons, copyright 1905.

1. Out on a western ranch one night there met a reckless crew,
When one said to another, "Jack, this letter came for you."
"I s'pose it's from a sweetheart, boys," said one among the crowd.
With laugh and jest they gathered 'round and Jack replied aloud:

CHORUS: It's only a message from home sweet home, from loved ones down on the farm,
Fond wife and mother, sister and brother, praying to guard me from harm.
And baby is lisping a prayer tonight to bless me where'er I roam.
"We'll welcome you, Jack, if you'll only come back," was the message from home sweet home.

2. "I'm going, boys. Goodnight," said Jack. "I know you'll understand."
Then one by one his comrades came and shook him by the hand.
Said one, "If we had homes like that, we'd all be better men.
And now before you go, just read that letter once again."