Rope

Elvis Costello · Other Songs - Elvis Costello

Down by the harbourside

A boat is fastened by a length of rope.

It was a perfect match,

Dreaming of escape,

Feeling almost detached.

Look beneath the waves -

The seabirds diving down into black water.



The morning bells begin,

Schoolchildren chant and spin.

A length of rope

Below a hanging tree,

Like cruel secrets some of us turn out to be.



Should our love increase,

We are all released like statues from marble.



While in a prison yard,

They're taking turns to guard

A length of rope.

Are you too weak to fight?

Picking up a thread and then stretching it tight.



Look beneath the waves -

The seabirds diving down into black water.

Still our love increased,

We are all released like statues from marble.