“You Never Even Called Me By My Name”

David Allen Coe

ALBUM: Once Upon a Rhyme

1975

CHART POSITION: Number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles

SONGWRITERS: Steve Goodman and John Prine;

Well, it was all

That I could do to keep from crying’

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 fighting’ side

[Chorus:]

And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me (let me, let me, let me, 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’ve played

But the only time I know

I’ll hear “David Allan Coe”

Is when Jesus has his final judgment day

[Chorus]

And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me (let me, let me, let me, 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 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 run ned over by a damned old train

[Chorus:]

And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me  (let me, let me, let me, let me)

And I never minded standing’ 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