Tramp the Dirt Down
Elvis Costello Lyrics

I saw a newspaper picture from the political campaign
I saw a picture in a newspaper from a political campaign.

A woman was kissing a child, who was obviously in pain
A woman was kissing a child who was clearly in pain.

She spills with compassion, as that young child's face
The woman in the picture shows extreme compassion while holding the child's face.

In her hands she grips, can you imagine all that greed and avarice
The woman holds onto the child while contemplating the greed and selfishness present in the world.

Coming down on that child's lips
The child is being affected by the negative consequences of the world around them.

Well I hope I don't die too soon
I hope I don't die before seeing change in the world.

I pray the Lord my soul to save
I pray that my soul will be saved in the afterlife.

Yes I'll be a good boy, I'm trying so hard to behave
I promise to behave and do good things in the world.

Because there's one thing I know, I'd like to live
I want to live long enough to see positive change in the world.

Long enough to savor, that's when they finally put you in the ground
I want to live long enough to see negative people pass away.

I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down
I will celebrate the death of people who caused harm and suffering.

When England was the whore of the world
When England was a powerful and oppressive nation.

Margaret was her madam
Margaret Thatcher was a powerful and oppressive leader.

And the future looked as bright and as clear, as the black tarmacadam
The future seemed bright and clear, like the pavement of the roads.

Well I hope that she sleeps well at night, isn't haunted by every tiny detail
I hope Margaret Thatcher is not haunted by her wrongdoings and can sleep peacefully.

When she held that lovely face in her hands, all she thought of was betrayal
When Thatcher expressed affection towards someone, it was still rooted in her betrayal of the working class.

And now the cynical ones, say that it all ends the same in the long run
Some people believe that in the end, all actions and people are equal.

Try telling that to the desperate father, who just squeezed the life from his only son
Tell that to a father who killed his own child out of desperation.

And how it's only voices in your head, and dreams you've never dreamt
Some say that feelings and ideas are not real, only perceived in one's mind.

Try telling him the subtle difference, between justice and contempt
Tell him the difference between justice and contempt, as it can be difficult to discern.

Try telling me she isn't angry with this pitiful discontent
Tell me Margaret Thatcher is not angry with those who oppose her and are unhappy with their circumstances.

When they flaunt it in your face, as you line up for punishment
When those in power flaunt their wealth and status, it is frustrating for those who suffer under them.

And then expect you to say thank you, straighten up, look proud and pleased
Those in power expect gratitude and compliance from those they oppress.

Because you've only got the symptoms, you haven't got the whole disease
People only see the surface symptoms of systemic issues but not the root cause.

Just like a schoolboy, whose head's like a tin-can
Like a schoolboy whose mind is not yet fully developed.

Filled up with dreams then poured down the drain
Their dreams and ambitions are often ruined by those in power.

Try telling that to the boys on both sides, being blown to bits or beaten and maimed
Tell that to the boys who are dying in warzones.

Who takes all the glory and none of the shame
Those in power receive praise without having to take responsibility for their actions.

Well I hope you live long now, I pray the Lord your soul to keep
I hope you live long enough to see a better world, may God protect your soul.

I think I'll be going before, we fold our arms and start to weep
I might die before the world becomes a better place, and that thought is saddening.

I never thought for a moment, that human life could be so cheap
I cannot believe that people and their lives are treated so insignificantly.

But when they finally put you in the ground, they'll stand there laughing and tramp the dirt down
When those in power die, their oppressors will celebrate their downfall.