Robert Wyatt: Shipbuilding

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

Shipbuilding Written by Elvis Costello & Clive Langer Performed by Robert Wyatt Produced by Clangwinstello (Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley and Elvis Costello) Musicians Robert Wyatt - percussion, vocal Clive Langer - organ Steve Nieve - piano Mark Bedford - double bass Martin Hughes - drums Elvis Costello - backing vocals, (guitar) Recorded 1982-07-23, Eden Studios Released 1982-08 Singles Shipbuilding Collections Nothing Can Stop Us (reissue), 1983 - 1982-1984 Late '70's - Early '80's, 1985 Compilation, 1990 Eps (5CD box set), 1999 Various Artists collections Clear Cut 5, 1983 - A Strange Kind Of Love, 1990 A Historical Debt, 1991 Bespoke Songs, Lost Dogs, Detours & Rendezvous, 1998 Classics From John Peel's All-Time Festive Fifty, 2006 Rare Trax Vol. 56, 2008 Promos Boxerpts, 1999 UK Elvis Costello, 2002 UK Elvis Costello (2006), 2006 Videos YouTube Length 3:06 see also: Shipbuilding (Elvis Costello)

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