Lyrics:

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, '40 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 to 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, '40 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 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 come back again'
And the operator says, '40 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'
Tell her goodbye
Please, tell her goodbye