Smiling Bill McCall

Well, the whole town listened to the radio

For the Smiling Bill McCall Show

Everyone in Nashville

Was listenin' to Bill

I don't want to be layin' in bed

When they pronounce me dead

He'd stand and breathe in the microphone

With his guitar hangin' to his knee bone

All the girls just sat and dreamed

When Bill began his sing

I don't want my hat to be hung

When my last song is sung

But he never let fame go to his head

"This is Smiling Bill McCall", he said

"Gonna pick and sing a song or two

You all listen till I'm through"

And if you're at the house or in your car

Tune in this time tomorrow

To all the boys he was a big hero

They'd glue their ears to the radio

Then talkin' a most unusual drawl

Imitatin' Bill McCall

Daddy, can I get me a guitar

'Cause I want to be a star

The girls would say of Bill McCall

Why I bet he's over six feet tall

Handsomest man in Nashville

They said of Smiling Bill

He won't be plantin' potato slips

When he cashes in his chips

Then one day Bill didn't make the show

Didn't even show up for a week or so

The station's boss said to city hall

"Find Smiling Bill McCall"

It won't be hard to track him down

He's got the biggest feet in town

Well, there's a creek that runs through Nashville

And on the bank they found Smiling Bill

He's committin' suicide

But they grabbed him before he tried

"Turn me loose, I want to jump", he screamed

"'Cause I can't stand that theme"

Let this be my final breath

'Cause I'm scared to half to death"

The big brave Smiling Bill McCall

Is only four feet tall

I'd rather be in the river dead

Than to hear 'em laughin' at my bald head