Dirty Rotten Shame

Lyrics

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

Credits

• Written by: Elvis Costello

Discography

• unreleased by Elvis Costello

Covers

Recorded by:

• Ronnie Drew, on Dirty Rotten Shame, 1995
  

also available on Songs Of Elvis Costello: Bespoke Songs, Lost Dogs, Detours & Rendezvous, 1998

Bootlegs

• none
• This section may be incomplete.