Great song from 1972, little remembered to this day. Sad song about a broken love affair, heart-crushing to listen to with those deadly creaky vocals even today. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show are little known today, but they had a huge hit in On the Cover of the Rolling Stone, another great song from around the same time which is never played anymore. It was hugely popular back in the day. Great music from the early 1970’s!
Lyrics, written by Shel Silverstein, incredibly enough.
Sylvia’s mother says “Sylvia’s busy,
Too busy to come to the phone.”
Sylvia’s mother says, “Sylvia’s trying,
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: “Forty cents more,
for the next three minutes.”
Please Mrs. Avery, I’ve just got to talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while.
Please Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her
Goodbye.
Sylvia’s mother says, “Sylvia’s packing,
She’s going be leaving today.”
Sylvia’s mother says, “Sylvia’s marrying,
A fellow down Galveston-way.”
Sylvia’s mother says, “Please don’t say nothing
To make her start crying and stay.”
And the operator says: “Forty cents more
for the next three minutes.”
Please Mrs. Avery, I’ve just got to talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while.
Please Mrs. Avery, just want to tell her
Goodbye.
Sylvia’s mother says, “Sylvia’s hurrying,
She’s catching the nine o’clock train.”
Sylvia’s mother says: “Take your umbrella,
Cause Sylvia, it’s starting to rain.”
And Sylvia’s mother says, “Thank you for calling.
And sir, won’t you call back again?”
And the operator says, “Forty cents more
For the next three minutes.”
Please Mrs. Avery, I’ve just got to talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, just want to tell her
Goodbye
Tell her goodbye
Please, tell her goodbye
Goodbye
