Shipbuilding (Elvis Costello, 1983)
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's spread around town
Someone 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 picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the ship yard
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