The Sharpest Thorn

Lyrics

I wore my finest suit of clothes

The sharpest thorn defending the rose

Hot as a pistol

Keen as a blade

The sharpest thorn upon parade

And it's the same most every year

Ghosts of the dear departed are near

We raise our glasses and we cheer

Should old acquaintance disappear

Just as we wipe away a tear

Archangel Michael will lead the way

Archangel Gabriel is ready to play

Although we know we must repent

We hit the scene and look for sins

That haven't even been invented

The strongest cage that guards the prize

The longest lash that covers your eyes

A sight no eyes are meant to know

Then on the third day he arose

Archangel Michael will lead the way

Archangel Gabriel is ready to play

Although we know we must repent

We hit the scene and look for sins

That haven't even been invented

So Good and Evil were having a fight

It lasts much longer than any one night

It may last longer than a life

And turn a mistress into a wife

And so confetti fills the air

My head is aching

My pockets are bare

I didn't recognise their warning

Then I wasn't born the sharpest thorn

I wasn't born the sharpest thorn

I wasn't born the sharpest thorn

I wasn't born the sharpest thorn

I wasn't born the sharpest thorn

Credits

• Words by: Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
  Music by: Elvis Costello
• Produced by: Joe Henry
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal, Gibson J-50, tambourine, Hammond B3 (bridge)

Allen Toussaint - piano

The Imposters:

Steve Nieve - Hammond B3

Davey Faragher - bass

Pete Thomas - drums, parade bass drum

The Crescent City Horns:

Brian "Breeze" Cayolle - baritone saxophone

Amadee Castenell - tenor and soprano saxophone

Joe "Foxx" Smith - baritone euphonium, trumpet

Sam "Big Sam" Williams - trombone

Discography

Albums:

• The River In Reverse, 2006

Alternate Versions:

• This section may be incomplete.

Covers

Also recorded by:

• This section may be incomplete.