Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's busy
Too busy to come to the phone
Sylvia's mother says Sylvias tryin'
To start a new life of her own
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's happy
So why don't you leave her alone?

And the operator says 40 cents more for the next 3 minutes
Ple-ease Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I'll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell er goodbye.

Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's packin'
She's gonna be leavin' today
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's marryin' 
A fella down Galveston way
Sylvia's mother says Please don't say nothin'
To make her start cryin' and stay.

And the operator says 40 cents more for the next 3 minutes
Ple-ease Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I'll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell er goodbye. 

Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's hurryin' 
She's catchin' the nine o'clock train
Sylvia's mother says take your umbrella
'Cause Sylvie, it's startin' to rain
And Sylvia's mother says thank you for callin'
And, sir, won't you call back again?

And the operator says 40 cents more for the next 3 minutes
Ple-ease Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I'll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell er goodbye. 

Tell her goodbye.

FADE
Please!
Tell her goodbye!