This Sad Burlesque

Lyrics

I write in hope by the time you get this letter

We may live to see a change for the better

Or are we so devoted to these wretched selfish motives?

When the cold facts and figures all add up

They cannot contradict this sad burlesque

This sad burlesque

With miserable failures making entertainment of our fate

Laughter cannot dignify or elevate this sad burlesque

Now can they recall being young and idealistic

Before wading knee-deep in hogwash and arithmetic?

The pitying smirk

The argument that runs like clockwork

Will run down eventually and splutter to a stop

P.S. Well, by now you know the worst of it

And we've heard all the alibis that they've rehearsed

The smug predictions

If it's not a contradiction

Please have faith in human nature

And have mercy on the creatures in this sad burlesque

This sad burlesque

With miserable failures making entertainment of our fate

Laughter cannot dignify or elevate this sad burlesque

Credits

• Words by: D.P.A. MacManus
  Music by: Paul Cassidy
• 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

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