Elvis Costello Dirty Rotten Shame Lyrics

Dirty Rotten Shame Lyrics

I recall the good old days 
But thankfully, they`ve gone 
Now the ponies all are broken nags 
That stumble as they groan 
And throw the jockeys from their throne 
When there are pitches 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 find life a millionaire 
That brags for rags and jewels 
A snarling pup is wild enough 
But as his anger proves 
He`s left to sharpen useless tools 
That tear and graze and finer phrase 
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