“Don’t Wait on Me” is a song written by Don Reid and Harold Reid, and recorded by American country music group The Statler Brothers. It was released in June 1981 as the first single from their album Years Ago. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Group members Don Reid and Lew DeWitt trade call-and-response lead vocals on the verses.

From the album Years Ago
B-side “Chet Atkins’ Hand”
Released June 13, 1981
Genre Country
Length 3:16
Label Mercury Nashville
Songwriter(s) Don Reid, Harold Reid
Producer(s) Jerry Kennedy

The Statler Brothers – Don’t Wait on Me lyrics

When the sun wakes up in the west
And lays it’s head down in the east
When they ordain Madlyn O’Hare
And she becomes a priest

When a San Diego sailor
Comes home with no tattoo
When they put a dome on Wrigley Field
I’ll be comin’ home to you

But don’t wait on me, little darlin’
Lord, can’t you see, little darlin’?
I only go so far
There ain’t no guarantee

Don’t wait on me and when you
That’s somethin’ I just can’t do
I never have and don’t intend to
Don’t wait on me

When the wind don’t blow in Chicago
And L.A. is cold and clear
When they unfurl Old Glory
And no one stands to cheer

When my brother-in-law phones me
And the charges ain’t reversed
When the cabbie don’t want a bigger tip
I’ll be slidin’ home from first

And don’t wait on me, little darlin’
Lord, can’t you see, little darlin’?
I only go so far
There ain’t no guarantee

Don’t wait on me and when you
That’s somethin’ I just can’t do
I never have and don’t intend to
Don’t wait on me

When you load up on a long shot
And you win by half a nose
When the Fourth of July parade
Is called because it snows

When the waiting room is empty
And the Doc says, ‘Come on in’
When Christmas comes before New Years
I’ll be comin’ home again

But don’t wait on me, little darlin’
Lord, can’t you see, small darlin’?
I only go so far
There ain’t no guarantee

Don’t wait on me, when you
That’s somethin’ I just can’t do
I never have and don’t intend to
Don’t wait on me

Don’t wait on me
Don’t wait on me
Don’t wait on me
Don’t wait on me