Elvis Costello
Stations of the Cross
[Verse 1]
Tempest blows up from a squall
Past the Cape of Bad Conscience into the Gulf of the Cauldron
Roars over the coastline to batter and flatten
Exposing the roots like the dyed hair of a slattern
[Verse 2]
Scrapper and mauler in a rope ring this small
Outside the wind is punching
There's no one to hear it, no one hears the bell ring
But the one who comes to fear it and they continue to brawl
[Chorus]
He's buying his way into heaven I suppose
He weeps after the blows
But down in a location that we cannot disclose
He turns the dial slowly
Through the Stations of the Cross
[Bridge]
Crowd done up dandy
In diamonds and finery
Baying and howling
All bloodlusty calling
Fists like pistons
Faces like meat spoiling
Haul, boys, haul, bully-boys haul
[Verse 3]
Later in the evening, Molly and her gunman
Go down the stairs to a dive like the dungeon
Meanwhile in the backroom there's a girl like a sponge
Saying, "Bring him in long as a constable's truncheon"
[Verse 4]
The gunman wants Molly to kingdom come
Then blows them all to the hereafter
Who's scuttling away now and hidden from our view?
Who tightened the tourniquet, turning her blue?
[Chorus]
They're hurling themselves into heaven I suppose
Before the gates are closed
But down in a location that we cannot disclose
They'll turn the dial slowly through the Stations of the Cross
[Bridge]
The gale of hale laughter
Scales up the ivory
Black keys of her fine whine
Descend into the minor
Die away breathless
Diminishing behind her
Haul boys haul, bully-boys haul
[Verse 5]
The water came up through the eaves
You'd think that someone had opened a valve
It's too soon to stay now and too late to leave
So spare your remorse all the way up to Calvary
[Chorus]
They're hurling themselves into heaven I suppose
Before the gates are closed
But down in a location that we cannot disclose
They'll turn the dial slowly
Through the Stations of the Cross
[Outro]
Through the Stations of the Cross
Through the Stations of the Cross