(Kinky Friedman)

From a cheap hotel in Dallas
On a cold December day

A telegram was traveling on its way
LiKe a sad old song from somewhere
In the distance of a dream
Flashing â'‚¬?cross the darkness
On the telegraph machine.

It said, â'‚¬?From Billy,â'‚¬? at the bottom, â'‚¬?To Baby,â'‚¬? at the top
Western Union Wire â'‚¬? â'‚¬?Please help meâ'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.
Western Union Wire â'‚¬? â'‚¬?Don't leave me.â'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.

Well, the taxicab it took her
To the airport in the dawn,
She knew in just an hour she'd be gone.
She was standing near the platform
â'‚¬?Bout to board the big Pan Am
When someone came
And put the lonely message in her hand.

It said, â'‚¬?From Billy,â'‚¬? at the bottom, â'‚¬?To Baby,â'‚¬? at the top
Western Union Wire â'‚¬? â'‚¬?Please help meâ'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.
Western Union Wire â'‚¬? â'‚¬?Don't leave me.â'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.

Headin' high above Chicago
Just a-reachin' for the skies
She found herself with teardrops in her eyes.
And a little boy beside her asked her,
â'‚¬?Mama, where is Pop ?â'‚¬?
And she just broke down a-cryin'
â'‚¬?Cause she knew she couldn't stop.

It said, â'‚¬?From Billy,â'‚¬? at the bottom, â'‚¬?To Baby,â'‚¬? at the top
Western Union Wire â'‚¬? â'‚¬?Don't leave me.â'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.
â'‚¬?Ah, you said you'd always love me â'‚¬? how could you ?â'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop,
â'‚¬?In pieces on the runway â'‚¬? I love you.â'‚¬? â'‚¬? stop.