Tramp The Dirt Down Lyrics - Elvis Costello

I saw a newspaper picture from the political campaign 

A woman was kissing a child, who was obviously in pain 

She spills with compassion, as that young child's face in her hands she grips 

Can you imagine all that greed and avarice coming down on that child's lips 

Well I hope I don't die too soon 

I pray the Lord my soul to save 

Oh I'll be a good boy, I'm trying so hard to behave 

Because there's one thing I know, I'd like to live long enough to savour 

That's when they finally put you in the ground 

I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down 

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When England was the whore of the world, Margaret was her madam 

And the future looked as bright and as clear as the black tar macadam 

Well I hope that she sleeps well at night, isn't haunted by every tiny detail 

'Cos when she held that lovely face in her hands all she thought of was betrayal 

And now the cynical ones say that it all ends the same in the long run 

Try telling that to the desperate father who just squeezed the life from his only son 

And how it's only voices in your head and dreams you never dreamt 

Try telling him the subtle difference between justice and contempt 

Try telling me she isn't angry with this pitiful discontent 

When they flaunt it in your face as you line up for punishment 

And then expect you to say "Thank you" straighten up, look proud and pleased 

Because you've only got the symptoms, you haven't got the whole disease 

Just like a schoolboy, whose head's like a tin-can 

Filled up with dreams then poured down the drain 

Try telling that to the boys on both sides, being blown to bits or beaten and maimed 

Who takes all the glory and none of the shame 

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Well I hope you live long now, I pray the Lord your soul to keep 

I think I'll be going before we fold our arms and start to weep 

I never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheap 

'Cos when they finally put you in the ground 

They'll stand there laughing and tramp the dirt down