I'm walking down Times Square in the Electric Daylight
The sailors on shore leave stand out in their perfect white.
I'm up here with my spying glass at the window up above
For better or for worse - it's a perverse universe, my love.
Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.
"And remember to free faraway from the unbridled, and the impudent,
the malicious, and the unlucky.
For these being full of bad demons or rays are maleficent,
and like lepers and people striken with plague,
they harm not only by touch but even by proximity and by sight." (Dig it!)
[Quote from Marsilio Ficino, Italian philosopher (1433-1499)]
You mutter underneath your breath - IT ECHOES ROUND THE WORLD
Everybody comes from nowhere.
There is hope, it loops up in the air
Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.
You said I used to be handsome if you screwed up your eyes
Professors and vampires drank up all the tears I cried.
Now there's a bird at my window, he feeds upon the pane (pain)
and sometimes he sings to me - a mocking bird in the twilight of infamy.
Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.
Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, they've burned one sinner and the others are sadly following
(set to follow?)
Now I know.
Now I know.
Now I know.
The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist lyrics - Elvis Costello
There's no charity in you
And that surprises me
I guess I thought you were a golden idol
'Cause I called you majesty
On the balustrade
You watched me hunt for tips I was obliged to pick up
From the passing trade
[Chorus:]
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
But you'll have to ask politely
'Cause the eggshells I've been treading
Couldn't spare me a beheading
And I'll know I had it coming
From a Caesar who was only slumming
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
Well, I could have objections
Which you could override
But what's the point - we're only flogging the horse
When the horseman has up and died
Once I testified
And swore I'd never leave a stone unturned -
I bet you're really glad that I lied
[Chorus]
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
But you'll have to ask politely
Yes, you'll have to ask politely
Yes, you'll have to ask
And that surprises me
I guess I thought you were a golden idol
'Cause I called you majesty
On the balustrade
You watched me hunt for tips I was obliged to pick up
From the passing trade
[Chorus:]
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
But you'll have to ask politely
'Cause the eggshells I've been treading
Couldn't spare me a beheading
And I'll know I had it coming
From a Caesar who was only slumming
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
Well, I could have objections
Which you could override
But what's the point - we're only flogging the horse
When the horseman has up and died
Once I testified
And swore I'd never leave a stone unturned -
I bet you're really glad that I lied
[Chorus]
Hey, kids - look at this
It's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
But you'll have to ask politely
Yes, you'll have to ask politely
Yes, you'll have to ask
The King Of The Unknown Sea lyrics - Elvis Costello
Beneath the turquoise pools and emerald jewels
There lie the broken spines of seven ships
The skulls of careless fools and coins of gold
Pour from the banks that proffer puckered lips
I am the king of all of you
The timid land
The unknown sea
And all that lies between
So then come away you frail of breath
You feeling tired of life
And scared of death
You stain the air with your half hearted wit
A few steps more will make an end of it
I am the king of all of you
The timid land
The unknown sea
And all that lies between
She'll wander on a strand of dying light
She'll wonder who may answer whispered prayers
The coral and the pearl that hold you tight
May grace the throat of those the ocean spares
There lie the broken spines of seven ships
The skulls of careless fools and coins of gold
Pour from the banks that proffer puckered lips
I am the king of all of you
The timid land
The unknown sea
And all that lies between
So then come away you frail of breath
You feeling tired of life
And scared of death
You stain the air with your half hearted wit
A few steps more will make an end of it
I am the king of all of you
The timid land
The unknown sea
And all that lies between
She'll wander on a strand of dying light
She'll wonder who may answer whispered prayers
The coral and the pearl that hold you tight
May grace the throat of those the ocean spares
The Night Before Larry Was Stretched lyrics - Elvis Costello
Oh, the night before Larry was stretched
Well the boys they all paid him a visit
A bit in their sacks too they fetched
For they sweated their duds till they rivered
For Larry was always the lad
When a boy was condemned to the Squeezer
Would fence all the duds that he had
For to help his poor friend to a sneezer -
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
Well the boys they came crowding in fast
And they threw all their stools 'round about him
Six glims round his trap-case was placed
For he couldn't be well-waked without them
When one of them asked, "Could he die
Without having duly repented?"
Said Larry, "That's all in the eye
And first by the clergy invented -
- For to get a fat lid for themselves"
Oh and Algie cut up like a pie:
"I may not from me buddy be parted."
"You're in the wrong box, then, says I,
For bless me if they're so hard-hearted
"A chalk on the back of your neck
Is all that Jack Catch does to give you
Then mind not such trifle's effect
Oh why should the likes of them grieve you? -
- And now boys, come tip us the deck."
Well the cards being called for they played
Until Larry found one of them cheated
? A godflew was napperly made ?
For the boy he being easily heated
"Oh, hold me the hokey, you thief!
I'll scuffle your knob with me dardle!
You cheat me because I'm in grief
Ah, but soon I'll be molish and muddle -
- And leave you your claret to drink"
Then the clergy came in with his boon
And he spoke him so smooth and so civil
Larry tipped him A Kilmaven wink
And he pitched his big wig to the devil
Then sighing he threw back his head
For to get a sweet drop of the bottle
And dutiful sighing he said,
"Oh the hemp 'twill be soon 'round me throttle -
- And choke me poor windpipe to death.
"Oh then sure it's the best way to die
? Oh the dead are the better the living ?
For now in the gallows is hiding
A journey that's surely to heaven."
But what harasses Larry the most
And makes his soul poor melancholy
Is he thinks of the time when his ghost
It will come in a sheet to Sweet Molly -
- "Oh sure, it'll kill her alive"
So moving, these last words he spoke
We all vented our tears in a shower
For me own part I thought me heart broke
For to see him cut down like a flower
On his travels we watched him next day
The throttler I thought I could kill him
But Larry not one word did say
Nor change did he come to King William -
- And mutter, "His color be White."
When he came to the old Dublin Shed
He was tucked up so neat and so pretty
? The rumbler jumped far from his feet ?
And he died with his face to the city
He came to, but that was all pride
For soon you might see 'twas all over
Soon after the noose was untied
In darkness we waked him in clover -
- And sent him to take his ground sweat
Oh, the night before Larry was stretched
Well the boys they all paid him a visit
A bit in their sacks too they fetched
For they sweated their duds till they rivered
For Larry was always the lad
When a boy was condemned to the Squeezer
Would fence all the duds that he had
For to help his poor friend to a sneezer -
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
Well the boys they all paid him a visit
A bit in their sacks too they fetched
For they sweated their duds till they rivered
For Larry was always the lad
When a boy was condemned to the Squeezer
Would fence all the duds that he had
For to help his poor friend to a sneezer -
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
Well the boys they came crowding in fast
And they threw all their stools 'round about him
Six glims round his trap-case was placed
For he couldn't be well-waked without them
When one of them asked, "Could he die
Without having duly repented?"
Said Larry, "That's all in the eye
And first by the clergy invented -
- For to get a fat lid for themselves"
Oh and Algie cut up like a pie:
"I may not from me buddy be parted."
"You're in the wrong box, then, says I,
For bless me if they're so hard-hearted
"A chalk on the back of your neck
Is all that Jack Catch does to give you
Then mind not such trifle's effect
Oh why should the likes of them grieve you? -
- And now boys, come tip us the deck."
Well the cards being called for they played
Until Larry found one of them cheated
? A godflew was napperly made ?
For the boy he being easily heated
"Oh, hold me the hokey, you thief!
I'll scuffle your knob with me dardle!
You cheat me because I'm in grief
Ah, but soon I'll be molish and muddle -
- And leave you your claret to drink"
Then the clergy came in with his boon
And he spoke him so smooth and so civil
Larry tipped him A Kilmaven wink
And he pitched his big wig to the devil
Then sighing he threw back his head
For to get a sweet drop of the bottle
And dutiful sighing he said,
"Oh the hemp 'twill be soon 'round me throttle -
- And choke me poor windpipe to death.
"Oh then sure it's the best way to die
? Oh the dead are the better the living ?
For now in the gallows is hiding
A journey that's surely to heaven."
But what harasses Larry the most
And makes his soul poor melancholy
Is he thinks of the time when his ghost
It will come in a sheet to Sweet Molly -
- "Oh sure, it'll kill her alive"
So moving, these last words he spoke
We all vented our tears in a shower
For me own part I thought me heart broke
For to see him cut down like a flower
On his travels we watched him next day
The throttler I thought I could kill him
But Larry not one word did say
Nor change did he come to King William -
- And mutter, "His color be White."
When he came to the old Dublin Shed
He was tucked up so neat and so pretty
? The rumbler jumped far from his feet ?
And he died with his face to the city
He came to, but that was all pride
For soon you might see 'twas all over
Soon after the noose was untied
In darkness we waked him in clover -
- And sent him to take his ground sweat
Oh, the night before Larry was stretched
Well the boys they all paid him a visit
A bit in their sacks too they fetched
For they sweated their duds till they rivered
For Larry was always the lad
When a boy was condemned to the Squeezer
Would fence all the duds that he had
For to help his poor friend to a sneezer -
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
- And warm his own god 'fore he died
The Unfailing Welcome To The Voice lyrics - Elvis Costello
Above the tears
Before the scream
Invisible and secret scar
The true salvation is the human voice
Beloved voices of the past
The forever stiffled voice
Tender echoes
Lost cause
Miserable voice
Whispering voice
Incantations
Immaterial instrument
Attentive mothers
Darkness lighting lullabies
Stare of silence
Cruel disease
The __ gag of hate
Unfailing welcome to the voice
Be welcome
Attractive red fruit of the mouth
Dangerous message on my skin
I feel so fluid
Lighter than air
Shy caress
A fleeting bride's veil on the throat
Forbidden kisses to drink
__ siren
Virtuous sound
Vocal pleasure
Pleasure vocal
It's the real way to be drunk
To desert the common place
Sacred (bluesy prophet?)
I'm a slave to the voice
Unfailing welcome to the voice
In every tone a poignant oath
Voices to pray to fly to escape
[harmonized]
The sublimation of the hopes
The sublimation of the hopes
Spiritual vehicle of thought
The voice (is boundless?)
I love the voice
Before the scream
Invisible and secret scar
The true salvation is the human voice
Beloved voices of the past
The forever stiffled voice
Tender echoes
Lost cause
Miserable voice
Whispering voice
Incantations
Immaterial instrument
Attentive mothers
Darkness lighting lullabies
Stare of silence
Cruel disease
The __ gag of hate
Unfailing welcome to the voice
Be welcome
Attractive red fruit of the mouth
Dangerous message on my skin
I feel so fluid
Lighter than air
Shy caress
A fleeting bride's veil on the throat
Forbidden kisses to drink
__ siren
Virtuous sound
Vocal pleasure
Pleasure vocal
It's the real way to be drunk
To desert the common place
Sacred (bluesy prophet?)
I'm a slave to the voice
Unfailing welcome to the voice
In every tone a poignant oath
Voices to pray to fly to escape
[harmonized]
The sublimation of the hopes
The sublimation of the hopes
Spiritual vehicle of thought
The voice (is boundless?)
I love the voice
Tommy's Coming Home lyrics - Elvis Costello
She was counting out the window of the outbound train
All the poles of the telegraph
And the rock-a-bye rhythm in the song of the rails
Couldn't make the sweeper laugh
Down down down so deep
Down down drowning in his sleep
Tommy's coming home again
And a hawk hovered high above a skinny jackrabbit
Pursued by a hungry fox
And a broker awoke her from a fitful slumber
Then consulted his shares and his stocks
Down down down they go
Down down how he'll never know
Tommy's coming home again
And it's almost April Fools' Day
As he glanced on his paper looking through the veil (?)
He could see she was really upset
As she tucked back the ribbon in a velvet box
As he offered her a cigarette
Down down down she took a drag
Now he's covered in a flag
Tommy's coming home again
And it's almost April Fools' Day
Almost April Fools' Day
And the joke's on everyone
He had that premonition
Only dead men dwell upon
But how could he know that only twelve months later
She would wear her skirt up over her knee
And in the very same carriage she'd be flattened with roses
And forget the tears of bigotry (?)
Down down down they flow
Now now now it just don't matter anymore
Tommy made it home again
When it was almost April Fools' Day
Almost April Fools' Day
And the joke's on everyone
He had that premonition
Only dead men dwell upon
Tommy's coming home again
Tommy's coming home again
Tommy's coming home
All the poles of the telegraph
And the rock-a-bye rhythm in the song of the rails
Couldn't make the sweeper laugh
Down down down so deep
Down down drowning in his sleep
Tommy's coming home again
And a hawk hovered high above a skinny jackrabbit
Pursued by a hungry fox
And a broker awoke her from a fitful slumber
Then consulted his shares and his stocks
Down down down they go
Down down how he'll never know
Tommy's coming home again
And it's almost April Fools' Day
As he glanced on his paper looking through the veil (?)
He could see she was really upset
As she tucked back the ribbon in a velvet box
As he offered her a cigarette
Down down down she took a drag
Now he's covered in a flag
Tommy's coming home again
And it's almost April Fools' Day
Almost April Fools' Day
And the joke's on everyone
He had that premonition
Only dead men dwell upon
But how could he know that only twelve months later
She would wear her skirt up over her knee
And in the very same carriage she'd be flattened with roses
And forget the tears of bigotry (?)
Down down down they flow
Now now now it just don't matter anymore
Tommy made it home again
When it was almost April Fools' Day
Almost April Fools' Day
And the joke's on everyone
He had that premonition
Only dead men dwell upon
Tommy's coming home again
Tommy's coming home again
Tommy's coming home
Twenty-Five Fingers lyrics - Elvis Costello
Twenty five fingers baby
I love your nails I love your touch
I love to touch you baby
It never fails to kill me
Some say gimme five
But I'll give you ten
You could make it twenty
But you're holding out again
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
I will always love you
That can't be denied
Love you up until the day
That heaven knows I've tried
For the time being I will tell you this
I'd love to love you love to love you
But there's something missing
Baby listen unconditionally
Put your hand in my hand and surrender to me
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
Twenty five fingers feel so divine
Twenty five fingers wish you were mine
Wish you were mine
Well so our hands met and twenty fingers entwined
I couldn't help I couldn't help but see
She didn't quite believe me
She said listen cause there's one little thing
Where did you get that lovely wedding ring
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
Some things are forbidden
Never meant to be
Well that might be all right for you
But not for you and me
Twenty five fingers feel so divine
Twenty five fingers wish you were mine
Wish you were mine
I love your nails I love your touch
I love to touch you baby
It never fails to kill me
Some say gimme five
But I'll give you ten
You could make it twenty
But you're holding out again
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
I will always love you
That can't be denied
Love you up until the day
That heaven knows I've tried
For the time being I will tell you this
I'd love to love you love to love you
But there's something missing
Baby listen unconditionally
Put your hand in my hand and surrender to me
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
Twenty five fingers feel so divine
Twenty five fingers wish you were mine
Wish you were mine
Well so our hands met and twenty fingers entwined
I couldn't help I couldn't help but see
She didn't quite believe me
She said listen cause there's one little thing
Where did you get that lovely wedding ring
Think it over think it over baby
Well think it over think it over baby
Some things are forbidden
Never meant to be
Well that might be all right for you
But not for you and me
Twenty five fingers feel so divine
Twenty five fingers wish you were mine
Wish you were mine
Unwanted Number lyrics - Elvis Costello
You should hear the things that they say about me
They're saying "She's no better than she needed to be"
They don't know that he was kind and strong and tender
And now I'll never be another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
How can I tell them?
How can I express?
How it felt to step out of this life and into his embrace
How can I tell them?
How can I explain?
All the love that I never had I found in him
There may be a stain on the family name
And if my father was here I think I know who he'd blame
Mama says that he just doesn't care to remember
And all he thinks of me is another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
(How can I tell her?
How can I express?
How it felt when he came to my room
And helped me to undress
What can she tell me?
How can I believe
That she really didn't hear me cry
When he wouldn't leave?)
There's a local game where they whisper my shame
They say "He gave her his child
He wouldn't give her his name"
They will torture me from January till September
And soon there's going to be another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
Unwanted number
And I will give my love to another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
They're saying "She's no better than she needed to be"
They don't know that he was kind and strong and tender
And now I'll never be another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
How can I tell them?
How can I express?
How it felt to step out of this life and into his embrace
How can I tell them?
How can I explain?
All the love that I never had I found in him
There may be a stain on the family name
And if my father was here I think I know who he'd blame
Mama says that he just doesn't care to remember
And all he thinks of me is another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
(How can I tell her?
How can I express?
How it felt when he came to my room
And helped me to undress
What can she tell me?
How can I believe
That she really didn't hear me cry
When he wouldn't leave?)
There's a local game where they whisper my shame
They say "He gave her his child
He wouldn't give her his name"
They will torture me from January till September
And soon there's going to be another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
Unwanted number
And I will give my love to another Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
Unwanted Number
What Do I Do Now? lyrics - Elvis Costello
Quickly she came dressed up for fame
Riding her perfume downstairs
Make-up like glue, she danced round the room
To the sound of her corduroy flares
Let's go to town, taxis all round
We could stop for a couple of beers
He looks at it all stifles a yawn
She tries not to look like she cares
[Chorus:]
What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
I thought we had it sorted out the other day
Maybe I'm just stupid
Can't we try again?
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining)
Can't face a club, they walk to a nearby pub
Watch a couple of bands
Draining the glass they walk home at last
Reaching for each others hands
Nothing is said he goes to bed
Dreaming of her on his own
She stays up all week, watching him sleep
Scared that she'll wake up alone
[Chorus]
Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Oh you'll feel it too, you're not that strong
You know I'm on to you
Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Maybe when you're dead
I'll get some rest from holding onto you (holding onto you)
What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
Thought we had it sorted
Is there someone else? Am I too familiar?
Was it when I said I wanted to have children?
Tore up all your photos, didn't feel too clever
Spent the whole of Sunday sticking you together
Now I'd like to call but I feel too awkward
Some things need explaining
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining...)
Riding her perfume downstairs
Make-up like glue, she danced round the room
To the sound of her corduroy flares
Let's go to town, taxis all round
We could stop for a couple of beers
He looks at it all stifles a yawn
She tries not to look like she cares
[Chorus:]
What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
I thought we had it sorted out the other day
Maybe I'm just stupid
Can't we try again?
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining)
Can't face a club, they walk to a nearby pub
Watch a couple of bands
Draining the glass they walk home at last
Reaching for each others hands
Nothing is said he goes to bed
Dreaming of her on his own
She stays up all week, watching him sleep
Scared that she'll wake up alone
[Chorus]
Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Oh you'll feel it too, you're not that strong
You know I'm on to you
Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Maybe when you're dead
I'll get some rest from holding onto you (holding onto you)
What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
Thought we had it sorted
Is there someone else? Am I too familiar?
Was it when I said I wanted to have children?
Tore up all your photos, didn't feel too clever
Spent the whole of Sunday sticking you together
Now I'd like to call but I feel too awkward
Some things need explaining
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining...)
When That I Was And A Little Tiny Boy lyrics - Elvis Costello
When that I was and a little tiny boy
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
A foolish thing was but a toy
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came to man's estate
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came alas to wife
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
By swaggering I could never fright
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came unto my bed
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
With tosspots still a drunken head
For the rain it raineth
Every day
A great while ago the world began
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
But that's all one our play is done
And we'll strive to please you
Every day
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
A foolish thing was but a toy
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came to man's estate
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came alas to wife
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
By swaggering I could never fright
For the rain it raineth
Every day
But when I came unto my bed
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
With tosspots still a drunken head
For the rain it raineth
Every day
A great while ago the world began
With a Hey-ho
The wind and the rain
But that's all one our play is done
And we'll strive to please you
Every day
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