Tripwire

Just because you don’t speak the language Doesn’t mean that you can’t understand Just because you don’t speak the language Doesn’t mean that you can’t understand The twist in the script of the insult Scrawled on the back of your hand Torn from the pages of scripture Sprayed on the wall in the frays of a flag Kisses forbidden on lips And all of your fine clothes worn into rags Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire There’s a tripwire Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire Don’t open the door ‘cos they’re coming Don’t open the door ‘cos they’re here Above there’s an ominous humming Below there’s a murmur of prayer Torn from the pages of scandal Sprayed on a wall in the frays of the flag Kisses forbidden on lips and all of your fine clothes blown into rags Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire There’s a tripwire Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire There’s a cross in the line there’s a circus There’s a voice that you might overhear There’s a lens making the picture perfect They say you have nothing to fear Torn from the pages of pamphlets Thrown in the air like confetti in church Far, far away there’s a target and the sound of an army just starting to march Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire There’s a tripwire Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire Just because I don’t read the language Doesn’t mean that I'm blind to the threat Though I thought there was more to forgiveness Than all we conveniently forget Torn from the pages of history Repeated again and again and again You’re either for or against us and that is how the hatred begins Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire There’s a tripwire Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

Tripwire Written by Elvis Costello, Ahmir Thompson and Steven Mandel Performed by Elvis Costello and The Roots Produced by Elvis Costello, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and Steven Mandel Musicians Elvis Costello - vocals Diane Birch - background vocals Ray Angry - bells, keys Mark Kelley - bass ?uestlove - drums Frank Knuckles - tambourine, chimes Matt Cappy - trumpet, flugelhorn Korey Riker - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone Albums Wise Up Ghost, 2013 Length 4:28 First known performance:  September 10, 2013, Cupertino, CA Last known performance:  May 25, 2016, Padova, Italy      (32 known performances) Alternate versions Tripwire (Menahan Street Band Rework) Performed by Elvis Costello and The Roots Rework Produced by Menahan Street Band Albums Wise Up: Thought, 2013 Length 3:31

Internal links

• Lyrics
• Wise Up Ghost samples and quotes