Elvis Costello - Tramp The Dirt Down Lyrics
I saw a newspaper picture from the political campaignA woman was kissing a child, who was obviously in painShe spills with compassion, as that young childsFace in her hands she gripsCan you imagine all that greed and avariceComing down on that childs lipsWell I hope I dont die too soonI pray the lord my soul to saveOh Ill be a good boy, Im trying so hard to behaveBecause theres one thing I know, Id like to liveLong enough to savourThats when they finally put you in the groundIll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt downWhen england was the whore of the worldMargeret was her madamAnd the future looked as bright and as clear asThe black tarmacadamWell I hope that she sleeps well at night, isntHaunted by every tiny detailcos when she held that lovely face in her handsAll she thought of was betrayalAnd now the cynical ones say that it all ends the same in the long runTry telling that to the desperate father who just squeezed the life from his only sonAnd how its only voices in your head and dreams you never dreamtTry telling him the subtle difference between justice and contemptTry telling me she isnt angry with this pitiful discontentWhen they flaunt it in your face as you line up for punishmentAnd then expect you to say thank you straighten up, look proud and pleasedBecause youve only got the symptoms, you havent got the whole diseaseJust like a schoolboy, whose heads like a tin-canFilled up with dreams then poured down the drainTry telling that to the boys on both sides, being blown to bits or beaten and maimedWho takes all the glory and none of the shameWell I hope you live long now, I pray the lord your soul to keepI think Ill be going before we fold our arms and start to weepI never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheapcos when they finally put you in the groundTheyll stand there laughing and tramp the dirt down
