[Verse 1: Elvis Costello]
Once upon another time if you had the need
I'd step right in the shoes that you've been walking
'Cause someone put the hurt in you for every one to see
And you only have to speak to tell your fortune

[Chorus: Elvis Costello]
There's a story in your voice both by damage and by choice
It tells of promises and pleasure and a tale of wine and woe
The uneasy time to come
And the long way 'round we go to get there

[Verse 2: Lucinda Williams]
Once you told me fairy tales everybody knows
But I didn't care for their prediction
Now you say you're leaving me and packing up your clothes
I finally see you were a work of fiction

[Chorus: Lucinda Williams & Elvis Costello]
There's a story in your walk then you crumble just like chalk
And I could say that I was sorry, but I wouldn't mean it much
There are pages I can't touch
And something that's been torn out of this chapter

[Bridge: Elvis Costello]
Far away, not far enough, 'cause I can still recall
How it felt when I read that last sentence
Now I go inside some rooms with Gideon in them all
And hide myself from all hope of repentance
[Verse 3: Lucinda Williams & Elvis Costello]
There's a story in your eyes, cheap sunglasses might disguise
But when the bedroom light reveals all that bravado and that fright
That you cover up in spite
Attempts to strip away this fabrication

[Chorus: Lucinda Williams & Elvis Costello]
There's a story in your voice both by damage and by choice
It tells of promises and pleasure and a tale of wine and woe
The uneasy time to come
And the long way 'round we go to get there

[Outro: Lucinda Williams]
Woo hoo