Interpret:

Elvis Costello

Album:

Secret, Profane & Sugarcane

I recall the good old days
But thankfully they've gone
Now the ponies are all broken nags
That stumble as they groan
And throw the jockeys from their throne
When there are ditches left to dodge
And lions left to tame
But it's nothing but a dirty rotten shame


It's a dirty rotten shame
That when you're frivolous and strong
It isn't youth, its fearlessness
That has been wasted on the young
The cruel are in the cradle
And the bishop's in the bag
It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame


Now I sound like a millionaire
That brags of rags and jewels
A snarling pup is wild enough
But as his anger cools
He's left to sharpen useless tools
That tear and graze in fine affrays
But few are worth the name
It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame


It's a dirty rotten shame
And that is not an idle boast
When all your courage and your strength
Will leave you as you need it most
When there are lamps to dampen
And cauliflowers to flip
It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame
It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame