Elvis Costello

...Dust

Elvis Costello


If dust could only talk 
What would we hear it say? 
before it's brushed aside 
Just as it's swept away 

It's just the evidence 
It's of no consequence 
It's only flesh and bone 
Why don't you leave it alone? 

If dust could only gather into lines of chalk 
Around a silhouette detective fiction walks 
For it's the only witness that can testify 
Can I spit out the truth 
Or would you rather just swallow a lie? 

Why did they dam the land? 
How did they flood the plain? 
Did they erase the name? 
And wipe away the stain 
You kept your mouth well shut 
Appeared to turn your coat 
Now there's a name for you but it's stuck in my throat 

If dust could only mutter 
Or in laughter trill 
If it could warn and whisper from the windowsill 
For it's the only witness that can testify 
Can I spit out the truth? 
Or would you rather just swallow a lie? 

Here comes the juggernaut 
Here come The Poisoners 
They choke the life and land 
And rob the joy from us 
Why do they taste of sugar 
When they are made of money 
Here come the Lamb of God 
And the butcher's boy, Sonny 

If dust could only gather in a needle track 
Then it would skip a beat and it would jump right back 
If dust could only gather in a needle track 
Then it would skip a beat 
And all the sense I lack