The song relates a young girl wishing to use the telephone ("Hello Central" refers to the operator) to call her dead mother.

[1] It was inspired by a newspaper story relating the attempt of the seven-year-old daughter of a widower to make such a call.

[2] Postcards were printed after the song's publication with the "kind permission" of Harris showing young girls using the telephone to call their dead mothers.

Papa I'm so sad and lonely, Sobbed a tearful little child Since dear mama's gone to heaven Papa darling, you've not smiled I will speak to her and tell her That we want her to come home Just you listen and I'll call her Through the telephone

Chorus: Hello Central give me heaven For my mama's there You can find her with the angels on the golden stair She'll be glad it's me who's speaking call her, won't you please For I want to surely tell her We're so lonely here