You Never Even Called Me By My Name

Well, it was all
that I could do to keep from cryin'.
Sometimes, it seemed so useless to remain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me by my name.

You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings,
and you don't have to call me Charlie Pride,
and you don't have to call me Merle Haggard anymore
even though you're on my fightin' side.

And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.

Well, I've heard my name
a few times in your phone book (Hello, Hello),
and I've seen it on signs where I have played,
but the only time I know
I'll hear, "David Allen Coe,"
is when Jesus has his final judgement day.

And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.

Recitation:
Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song.
And, he told me it was the perfect Country & Western song
I wrote him back a letter, and I told him it was not the perfect Country & Western song, because he hadn't said anything at about mama,
or trains,
or trucks,
or prison,
or gettin' drunk.
Well, he sat down and wrote another verse to the song,
and he sent it to me,
and after reading it,
I realized that my friend had written the perfect Country & Western song.
And, I felt obliged to include it on this album.
The last verse goes like this here:

Well, i was drunk the day my mom got out of prison,
and I went to pick her up in the rain,
but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,
she got runned over by a damned old train.

And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me.
And, I never minded standin' in the rain.
No, a' you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me...
Well, I wonder why you don't call me.
Why don't you ever call me by my name?