Elvis Costello – Dirty Rotten Shame

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 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 FEEL LIKE a millionaire

WHO brags OF rags TO jewels

A snarling pup is wild enough

But as his anger proves

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 CLIP

It’s nothing but a dirty rotten shame