(Elvis Costello and Henry Burnett)
Well I recall his parting words
Must I accept his fate?

Or take myself far from this place
I thought I heard a black bell toll
A little bird did sing

Man has no choice
When he wants everything


[Chorus:]
We'll rise above the scarlet tide
That trickles down through the mountain

And separates the widow from the bride

Man goes beyond his own decision

Gets caught up in the mechanism
Of swindlers who act like kings
And brokers who break everything

The dark of night was swiftly fading
Close to the dawn of the day
Why would I want him

Just to lose him again

[Chorus 2x]