From the recording FREDDIE & FRIENDS GO HONKY TONKIN'
"Pick Me Up on Your Way Down" is a song written by Harlan Howard, sung by Charlie Walker, and released on the Columbia label.
Harlan Howard, while living in a frame house in Gardena, California, played the song for another songwriter, Lance Guynes. Guynes offered to send the song to Nashville, and shortly thereafter, Howard received a call from Ray Price saying he loved the song. There was a fight between Price, Ernest Tubb, and Charlie Walker over who would get to record the song. They ultimately agreed to give it to Walker, "because he needed a hit."
In October 1958, the song peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's weekly country and western chart. It spent 22 weeks on the charts and was also ranked No. 44 on Billboard's 1958 year-end country and western chart.
Lyrics
You were mine for just a while, now you're puttin' on the style,
And you've never once looked back, at your home across the track.
You're the gossip of the town, but my heart can still be found,
Where you tossed it on the ground, pick me up on your way down.
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone,
When the glamour starts to bore you, come on back where you belong.
You may be their pride and joy, but they'll find another toy,
And they’ll take away your crown, pick me up on your way down.
(Steel Guitar & Fiddle Instrumental)
They have changed your attitude, made you haughty and so rude,
Your new friends can take the blame, underneath you're still the same.
When you've learned these things are true, I'll be waiting here for you,
As you tumble to the ground, pick me up on your way down.
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone,
When the glamour starts to bore you, come on back where you belong.
You may be their pride and joy, but they'll find another toy,
And they’ll take away your crown, pick me up on your way down.
When they take away your crown, pick me up on your way down.