Mike Billington in England used to (and may still!) sing a touching song from, I think, the American Civil war with the chorus
Break the news to Mother
And tell her that I love her
And tell her not to weep for me, for I'm not coming home.
Tell her that no other
Can take the place ...
well, you get the idea. He would then whip out his kazoo and his limberjack and go straight into I want a gal just like the gal that married dear old Dad. 'Course, I was just a little lad of 20-something then, which is my excuse for joining this thread.

Steve