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"

The big brave Smiling Bill McCall Is only four feet tall
                                                   C                   D
I'd rather be in the river dead Than to hear 'em laughin' at my bald head