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 Elvis Costello & The Attractions Produced by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley Musicians Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums Chet Baker - trumpet solo Recorded January-April 1983, AIR Studios, London Released August 5, 1983 Albums Punch The Clock, 1983 Singles Let Them All Talk, 1983 (US) Shipbuilding, 1983 (Japan) London's Brilliant Parade, 1994 Collections The Best Of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, 1985 The Man (The Best Of Elvis Costello), 1985 Girls Girls Girls, 1989 The Very Best Of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, 1994 The Very Best Of Elvis Costello, 1999 The Best Of Elvis Costello The First 10 Years, 2007 Soundtracks High Fidelity, 2000 Various Artists collections Il Disco Del Mese (Vol. 26: Il Grande Pop Inglese), 1997 Film 2000 With Jonathan Ross, 2000 Cinema Classics: Greatest Classic Movie Songs, 2001 Songwriter, 2002 Radio 2 - Sold On Song, 2003 - Kitsuné Tabloid By Phoenix, 2009 - Promos Punch The World, 1995 UK Elvis Costello, 2002 Punch The Clock, Trust & Get Happy!! Sampler, 2003 Length 4:50 First known performance:  May 25, 1982, Melbourne, Australia      (800 known performances)

Internal links

• Elvis Costello Home Page: Punch The Clock  •  lyrics  •  chords  •  PTC info page 1
• Lyrics  •  Covers
• Robert Wyatt: Shipbuilding

External links

• Wikipedia  •  Elvis Costello Reissues: Punch The Clock