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 three minutes
Please 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 three minutes
Please 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 three minutes
Please 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