Sylvia's mother says, Sylvia's busy
Too busy to come to the phone
Sylvia's mother says, Sylvia's 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 Sylvia, 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
Please
Tell her goodbye