Key: D
Introduction:
D E
Well, the whole town listened to the radio For the Smiling Bill McCall Show
D
Everyone in Nashville Was listenin' to Bill
I don't want to be layin' in bed When they pronounce me dead
A
He'd stand and breathe in the microphone With his guitar hangin' to his knee bone
D
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
A D G A
But he never let fame go to his head "This is Smiling Bill McCall", he said
E D
"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
A
To all the boys he was a big hero They'd glue their ears to the radio
D
Then talkin' a most unusual drawl Imitatin' Bill McCall
Daddy, can I get me a guitar 'Cause I want to be a star
D A
The girls would say of Bill McCall Why I bet he's over six feet tall
D
Handsomest man in Nashville They said of Smiling Bill
He won't be plantin' potato slips When he cashes in his chips
G A C
Then one day Bill didn't make the show Didn't even show up for a week or so
D E D
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
A
Well, there's a creek that runs through Nashville And on the bank they found Smiling Bill
C F G
He's committin' suicide But they grabbed him before he tried
D
"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"
C D
I'd rather be in the river dead Than to hear 'em laughin' at my bald head