The First To Leave

Lyrics

I should open with a kiss

For if you're reading this

You must have opened up your case

And found this letter where I placed it

In between the silk and lace

There were other clues, like your walking shoes

But I still refused to believe

That you were meant to be the first to leave

Everybody here sends you their love

How could I forget you still walk above

Or below

Perhaps you'll never know this Purgatory

We never could agree

There's a thought, there's a pause

No time to repent

Eternally yours in a permanent Lent

But if I should give you up

If you're right and life just stops

And I never see your face again

Then from unearthly pleasures, proud and plain

I shall abstain

'Til you realise, my loss is your surprise

Unless you know otherwise, then don't grieve

You see I had to be the first to leave

Credits

• Written by: D.P.A. MacManus
• Produced by: Kevin Killen, Elvis Costello and The Brodsky Quartet
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - Voice

The Brodsky Quartet:

Michael Thomas - Violin

Ian Belton - Violin

Paul Cassidy - Viola

Jacqueline Thomas - Violoncello

Discography

Albums:

• The Juliet Letters, 1993
• The Juliet Letters (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2006
• 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.