Sylvia's Mother
Dr. Hook Lyrics

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's busy, too busy to come to the phone"
Sylvia's mother informs the singer that Sylvia is unable to answer the phone due to her busy schedule

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's trying, to start a new life of her own"
Sylvia's mother tells the singer that Sylvia is attempting to build a new life for herself

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's happy so why don't you leave her alone?"
Sylvia's mother asserts that Sylvia is content with her current state of affairs and requests the singer to refrain from disturbing her

And the operator says "Forty cents more, for the next three minutes"
The operator intimates to the artist that they must pay an additional forty cents to extend their conversation by three more minutes

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's packing, she's gonna be leaving today"
Sylvia's mother informs the artist that Sylvia is packing her belongings and departing today

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's marrying, a fellow down Galveston-Way"
Sylvia's mother shares that Sylvia has found someone to marry in Galveston

Sylvia's mother says "Please don't say nothing to make her start crying and stay"
Sylvia's mother expresses to the singer that they shouldn't say anything to cause Sylvia to become emotional and alter her decision to depart

And the operator says "Forty cents more, for the next three minutes"
The operator indicates to the artist that they must pay an extra forty cents to lengthen their conversation by another three minutes

Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's hurrying she's catching the nine o'clock train"
Sylvia's mother reveals that Sylvia is rushing to take the nine o'clock train

Sylvia's mother says "Take your umbrella, 'cause Sylvia it's starting to rain"
Sylvia's mother advises the artist to bring an umbrella because it is beginning to rain, especially because Sylvia is departing soon

And Sylvia's mother says "Thank you for calling and sir won't you come back again"
Sylvia's mother thanks the singer for their call and requests they return in the future

And the operator says "Forty cents more for the next three minutes"
The operator specifies to the artist that they must pay an additional forty cents to continue speaking 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
The singer asks Mrs. Avery to allow them to speak with Sylvia for a brief time, explaining that they only want to say goodbye

Tell her goodbye Please, tell her goodbye
The singer requests Mrs. Avery to pass on the message of goodbye to Sylvia