Still alive but air is getting bad. Oh how I love you, Mary.
Dear father, I will be going soon. We are just cold and when the air comes it will be bad as we are on the return side. Will meet you all in heaven. We are going to heaven. We have plenty of time to make peace with the Lord. H Russell
I will soon be going to leave this world. Stay in America and give kids a home and marry again if you have a notion but God bless you and the kids. HR
Dear Mary, tell father I was saved. Also the Erskines. We don't feel any pain. Try and stay in the USA. Love to the kids. H Russell
Diana Jones's lyrics to 'Henry Russell's Last Words' (excerpt)
Still alive, but the air is getting bad
Oh how I love you Mary (refrain repeated after each line)
I have made my peace with God
You did not ask why I go down in the mine
It was for the children, it was for better times
Stay in America and give the kids a home
Marry another, you should not be alone
They will lay me in a pauper's grave
Tell my father my soul is saved
Meet me in heaven, I'll wait for you there
Oh how I love you Mary