Any King's Shilling

Lyrics

You're a fine one, oh yes you are

You're a fine one just like me

And we're friends now, oh wouldn't you say?

We've been friends now, oh haven't we?

Stay at home tonight if you know what's good for you

I can't say more, it would be telling

For if you don't what will become of you

Just isn't worth any king's shilling

I will answer when they make that call,

Pull upon this ragged uniform

Up 'til now I know it's been your trade

Spit and polish the potato parade

Stay at home tonight if you know what's good for you

I can't say more, it would be telling

For if you don't what will become of you

Just isn't worth any king's shilling

Please don't put your silly head in that pretty soldier's hat

You've done your duty, that's enough of that

I don't know if what I'm doing is right

I don't know if you should be forgiving

But for me it seems it means my life

While for you it could just be a living

Stay at home tonight if you know what's good for you

I can't say more, it would be telling

For if you don't what will become of you

Just isn't worth any king's shilling

Please don't put your silly head in that British soldier's hat

You've done your duty that's enough of that

You're a fine one, oh yes you are

You're a fine one, just like me

Credits

• Written by: D.P.A. MacManus
• Produced by: Elvis Costello, Kevin Killen and T Bone Burnett
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocals, acoustic guitar

Dónal Lunny - bouzouki

Christy Moore - bodhran

Frankie Gavin - fiddle

Steve Wickham - fiddle

Derek Bell - Irish harp, tiompan

Davy Spillane - low whistle, Uilleann pipes

Buell Niedlinger - double basses

Discography

Albums:

• Spike, 1989
• Spike (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2001
• This section may be incomplete.

Singles:

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Collections:

• Album Name, Year
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Alternate Versions:

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Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• none
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Performed by:

• none
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Bootlegs

• This section is incomplete.