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, "forty 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 her good-bye

Sylvia's Mother says, "Sylvia's packing
She's gonna be leavin' today"
Sylvia's Mother says, "Sylvia's marryin'
A fellow down Galveston way"
Sylvia's Mother says, "please don't say nothin'
To make her start cryin' and stay"
And the operator says, "forty 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 her good-bye

Sylvia's mother says, "Sylvia's hurryin'
She's catching the 9 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 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 just gotta talk to her
I'll only keep her a while
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell her good-bye
Tell her good-bye, please, tell her good-bye ....