On Your Way Down

Lyrics

Sunrise

Sunset

Since the beginning it hasn't changed yet

People fly high begin to lose sight

You can't see very clearly when you're in flight

It's high time that you found

The same people you misuse on your way up

You might meet up

On your way down

Vintage wines from the year '62

It's your thing, it's your thing

It pleases you

You got to frown when you cross town

You think it's an honor just to have you around

It's high time that you found

The same dudes you misuse on your way up

You might meet up

On your way down

You think the sun rises and sets for you

But the same sun rises, sets and shines

On the poor folks too

I don't mind you turning round

I myself would even like a little higher ground

It's high time that you found

The same people you walk on on your way up

You might meet up

On your way down

On your way down

Credits

• Written by: Allen Toussaint
• Produced by: Joe Henry
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal, Gibson Super 400

Allen Toussaint - piano, backing vocals

Anthony "AB" Brown - Fender Telecaster

The Imposters:

Steve Nieve - Hammond B3 organ

Davey Faragher - Fender Precision bass, backing vocals

Pete Thomas - drums

The Crescent City Horns:

Brian "Breeze" Cayolle - baritone saxophone

Amadee Castenell - tenor saxophone

Joe "Foxx" Smith - trumpet

Sam "Big Sam" Williams - trombone

Discography

Albums:

• The River In Reverse, 2006

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• none

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Alternate Versions:

• On Your Way Down (live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 2005-09-20)

From The Big Apple To The Big Easy: The Concert For New Orleans (DVD), 2006

Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar

The Allen Toussaint Band:

Allen Toussaint - piano

Anthony Brown - guitar

Chris Severin - bass

Herman LeBeaux - drums

Reginald Toussaint - percussion, musical director

Tracy Griffin - trumpet

Brian Cayolle - saxophone

Amadee Castenell - saxophone

Suzanne Bonseigneur - background vocal

Ed Russell - background vocal

Covers

Also recorded by:

• Lee Dorsey, 1971
• Allen Toussaint, 1972
• Little Feat, 1973
• This section may be incomplete.