DEAR HARLAN HOWARD
(Red Simpson / Don Bowman)


Don Bowman - 1965


Dear Harlan Howard, will you write me a hit
Don't you know that I could sing the fire right out of it
You've written songs for every star in Nashville, Tennessee
So how's about it, Harlan, would you write a hit for me

Now, I can come to Nashville if you'll just send me the fare
Boy, if me and you get together, aw we'll tear 'em up down there
I loved Heartaches By The Number and Busted impressed me so much
I painted your name in big red letters 'cross the side of my pick-up truck

Boy the way you write and the way I sing, no tellin' how far we could go
Be smokin' cigars and drivin' big cars, probably be on the Jimmy Dean show

Dear Harlan Howard, will you write me a hit
Don't you know that I could sing the fire right out of it
You've written songs for every star in Nashville, Tennessee
So how's about it, Harlan, would you write a hit for me

Now, wouldn't wancha you to be ashamed of me when you show me 'round Nashville
So I got a few things down at Monkey Wards and said just send ol' Harlan the bill
Bought me a bright green cowboy shirt and a pair of leopard skin boots
And you won't believe them rhinestones that Mother sewed on my suits

I met Roger Miller a l'il while back and sang him a song or two
He said you just write ol' Harlan, he said it was the least he could do
He said he owed you somethin', Harlan, so he's sendin' me, ain't that a blast
You write 'em and I'll sing 'em, I got a tiger by the tail it's plain to see, see
Boy I wish you'd-a give that song to me instead of Buck Owens






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2011)