[Verse 1]
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
She don’t pick up on the very first ring
I'm-a take it as a sign
That it don’t mean a thing
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone

[Verse 2]
She might be busy in the garden
She might be busy in the garden
She might be busy
And can't hear the phone
Through the whistle of the wind
And the mourning dove moan
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone

[Verse 3]
I can see her hair in that French braid (Yes I can)
I can see her hair in that French braid
French braid hair
Keep it up out the way
While she’s working in the garden
Where she can't hear the phone
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone
[Verse 4]
She take her hair down when she love me (Yes she does)
She take her hair down when she loves me
Gilded gold clip
Keep the French braid back
While she’s working in the garden
Where she can’t hear the phone
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone

[Verse 5]
If she don't pick up
If she don't pick up
She don't pick up
Oh Lord
If she don’t pick up on the first ring
I’m-a leave that girl alone