Friday, April 6, 2007

Elvis Costello's 'Shipbuilding'

[VIDEO update below]

Here's one of the most haunting anti-war pieces that ever gave me the chills.

For our British friends, for our Iranian friends, for Good Friday, or maybe just for no reason at all ...

Shipbuilding

by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer
Is it worth it?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday

It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding

Well I ask you?
The boy said "Dad, they're going to take me to task
But I'll be back by Christmas"

It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding

With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls

It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin

Once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
Thanks to Bluebear2 for following (excellent) video links: