Shipbuilding

Lyrics

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 was spread around town

Somebody 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 a picture postcard

Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard

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

Credits

• Written by: Elvis Costello and Clive Langer
• Produced by: Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocals and guitar

Steve Nieve - keyboards

Bruce Thomas - bass

Pete Thomas - drums

Chet Baker - trumpet solo

This section may be incomplete.

Discography

Albums:

• Punch The Clock, 1983
• Punch The Clock (reissue), Rykodisc/Demon, 1994
• Punch The Clock (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2003
• This section may be incomplete.

Singles:

• This section may be incomplete.

Collections:

• The Very Best of Elvis Costello, 1999
• This section may be incomplete.

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• none
• This section may be incomplete.

Performed by:

• none
• This section may be incomplete.

Bootlegs

• This section is incomplete.