The song tells the story of a man trying to say one last goodbye to his ex-girlfriend but is not able to get past her mother, who tries to interfere.
A sequel entitled "Mrs Avery" has been written and performed by UK Folk Rockers "The Men They Couldn't Hang''". This song begins where "Sylvia's Mother" ends and concerns what happens next.
Sylvia's Mother
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 come 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
The song "Sylvia's Mother" by Dr. Hook And The Medicine Show tells the heart-wrenching story of a man desperately trying to reach his former lover, Sylvia, before she leaves him forever to start a new life with another man. Throughout the song, Sylvia's mother intercepts his calls, informing him that Sylvia is too busy or packing to leave, and warns him not to upset her further. Despite this, the man persists in his attempts to reach Sylvia, begging Mrs. Avery to let him talk to her just one more time to say goodbye. The song ends with the man pleading with Mrs. Avery to pass on his message of farewell to Sylvia.
The lyrics of "Sylvia's Mother" express feelings of regret, loss, and sadness at the breakdown of a once-loving relationship. The singer's desperation to reach Sylvia, even through her mother's interference, highlights the depth of his feelings and his unwillingness to let her go without a final goodbye. The repeated refrain of "Please Mrs. Avery, just want to tell her goodbye" underscores his sense of urgency and the finality of the impending separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's busy, too busy to come to the phone
The singer is being told that Sylvia is occupied with other things and cannot answer the phone.
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's trying, to start a new life of her own.
The singer is being informed that Sylvia is attempting to establish a new lifestyle for herself.
Sylvia's mother says "Sylvia's happy
So why don't you leave her alone?"
The singer is being told that Sylvia is content, and they should stop bothering her.
And the operator says : "Forty cents more, for the next three minutes."
The operator states that the artist must pay an additional fee to continue the call for a few more 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.
The artist needs to communicate one last time with Sylvia, and is requesting permission to do so.
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's packing, she's going be leaving today.
The singer is told that Sylvia is getting ready to leave and travel somewhere.
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's marrying, a fellow down Galveston-Way
The singer is informed that Sylvia is about to marry someone from Galveston.
Sylvia's mother says "Please don't say nothing...
To make her start crying and stay."
The artist is cautioned not to say anything that will make Sylvia feel upset and compel her to stay.
And the operator says : "Forty cents more, for the next three minutes."
The operator announces that the artist has to pay an extra fee if they want to extend the call by three more minutes.
Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's hurrying,
She's catching the nine o'clock train.
The artist is told that Sylvia is rushing to catch the train departing at nine o'clock.
Sylvia's mother says: "Take your umbrella,
Cause Sylvia it's starting to rain."
The singer is advised to bring an umbrella for Sylvia since it's starting to rain.
And Sylvia's mother says "Thank you for calling.
And sir won't you come back again."
Sylvia's mother thanks the artist for calling and asks if they could call again in the future.
And the operator says :" Forty cents more,
For the next three minutes."
The operator informs the singer of another upcoming charge if they want to prolong the call for another 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
The singer wants to contact Sylvia one last time and bids farewell while asking Mrs. Avery's permission to do so.
Tell her goodbye
Please, tell her goodbye
Goodbye
The singer implores the person they're speaking to pass along their goodbye to Sylvia one last time.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RonjasDrHookChannel
Lyrics:
Dr Hook perform Sylvias Mother
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 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 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 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 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 goodbye
Tell her goodbye...
Please... tell her goodbye.
@annmariealexis3659
How do you stop listening to songs like this?
You just can't!
Its still soooooo relevant now and always will be ....as long as we continue to exist in this life.
What a voice,
What a story,
What great passion and emotion put into that performance!
WOW!
Thank you Dr Hook and the Medicine Show.
Great singers and songwriters👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙋🏾♀️
@RonjasDrHookChannel
Lyrics:
Dr Hook perform Sylvias Mother
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 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 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 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 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 goodbye
Tell her goodbye...
Please... tell her goodbye.
@jenipeachy
Ronja´s Dr Hook Channel you must of guest by now I love your channel . I was lucky to see them when they came to Australia in the 80’s . I wish at times I could of travelled far and wide but alas no . Only done Europe as I’m from there but spent 15 years in NZ building a family . Now back in The land of Oz . Thank you for your page , your music .... you have a ally in the land of Oz.
@lorettawalsh6897
Love this song, band is iconic! thank you :)
@TheAnniemus
I asked my mother to be Mrs. Avery; then, she would take it upon herself bc she didn't want me to leave home
@brainsareus
maybe, Sylvia's mommy can go Cougar on ya, son.
help you 4get Sylvia.
@TheBotosanu
I love this song, it reminds me of when l was 16 yrs old and my ❤️ Heart and the love of my life just was leaving for Viet Nam war, my mother would not let me talk to him. I wanted to die, l did not know if my son or l would ever see him again. Lucky my son saw him once and I never got to see him again. I just died for a very long time, then when l was 32 l met another man who healed my broken ❤️ Heart. God bless you Dr Hook for your song. JOB
@johnjenkins1449
This song was released the week I was discharged from the army. I sent a letter every week to the girl I loved but her mother never gave them to her. Her mother wanted her to marry a man with money and not someone who loved and cherished her. She was abused mentally and physically for almost 25 years until she finally had enough. After her divorce I finally reunited with her and the last 21 years have been the best years of our lives. If you truly love someone, don't give up. My father told me the night we broke up in 1971, Son, if it's meant to be, it will happen, just be patient.
@patriciaharknett3272
Cried reading your story
@mariposaperdida1501
I love this
@denzilthomas1
So lovely God bless