I saw a newspaper picture from the political campaign
A woman was kissing a child, who was obviously in pain
She spills with compassion, as that young child's face
In her hands she grips
Can you imagine all that greed and avarice
Coming down on that child's lips

Well I hope I don't die too soon
I pray the Lord my soul to save
Yes I'll be a good boy, I'm trying so hard to behave
Because there's one thing I know, I'd like to live
Long enough to savor
That's when they finally put you in the ground
I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down

When England was the whore of the world
Margaret was her madam
And the future looked as bright and as clear
As the black tarmacadam
Well I hope that she sleeps well at night,
Isn't haunted by every tiny detail
When she held that lovely face in her hands
All she thought of was betrayal

And now the cynical ones
Say that it all ends the same in the long run
Try telling that to the desperate father
Who just squeezed the life from his only son
And how it's only voices in your head
And dreams you've never dreamt
Try telling him the subtle difference
Between justice and contempt

Try telling me she isn't angry
With this pitiful discontent
When they flaunt it in your face
As you line up for punishment
And then expect you to say thank you
Straighten up, look proud and pleased
Because you've only got the symptoms,
You haven't got the whole disease

Just like a schoolboy,
Whose head's like a tin-can
Filled up with dreams then poured down the drain
Try telling that to the boys on both sides,
Being blown to bits or beaten and maimed
Who takes all the glory and none of the shame

Well I hope you live long now,
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
I think I'll be going before
We fold our arms and start to weep
I never thought for a moment
That human life could be so cheap
But when they finally put you in the ground
They'll stand there laughing and tramp the dirt down


Lyrics submitted by Fauxpoet

Tramp the Dirt Down Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Tramp the Dirt Down song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    "Tramp The Dirt Down" is not a rational protest song, nor is it a well thought-out political manifesto. Its message is simple and direct-- the Margaret Thatcher is evil, and Elvis would take pleasure in her ultimate demise. It was as bitter and savage as anything Costello had ever written, because Costello took the unusual step of actually naming names. When Costello released his anti-Tory diatribe "Pills And Soap" in 1983, he told a concerned BBC censor that the song was about cruelty to animals. There could be no clever parsing of words with this song, which included the memorable line, "When England was the whore of the world, Margaret was her Madam." - Astheygo.com

    Clearly a cathardic lambasting of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her policies. Costello has long been a vocal critic of hers and once even remarked that "She doesn't have a soul. She will burn in hell." Powerful.

    justinbaily21on March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I never had an opinion on the lyrics until my 4th listening or so, as I am with most songs. It's an evocative tune by the melody and structure, it's Elvis's opinion. I happen to think Ms. Thatcher was good for Britain, however. Far be it from musicians to understand nuts and bolts politics when they deal mostly with feelings.

    Lesthanzeroon August 27, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    This is definitely one of my favorites on Spike - in my opinion it blows "Veronica" out of the water. I understand why it wasn't released as a single though...

    Lyrically, I'm impressed with Elvis' use of unexpected rhymes like "imagine/compassion" and "detail/betrayal". But I'm most impressed by the ironic twist that provides a little of his signature dark humor at the end of the song - after lambasting Margaret Thatcher for her lack of regard for human life and then laughing at her death, he remarks "I never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheap!"

    Its like he's reminding her that her life is just as cheap as anyone's who was sent to war for her policies.

    Now, as an American, I have a few questions for the Brits out there (or anyone else who might know):

    1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child? 2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations? 3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"? 4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?

    In today's context I can't get Sarah Palin (and her "special needs" baby) out of my mind when I listen to this song.

    jsaulon September 26, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Regarding the lyric "She spills with compassion": in the Middle Ages spill referred to much more devastating things than it does today. Spillan, the Old English ancestor of Modern English spill, meant such things as "to destroy, mutilate, kill." I think perhaps Elvis Costello was (consciously or subconsciously) tuning in to that older meaning when he wrote this line.

    Beeryon April 16, 2013   Link
  • -2
    General Comment

    loegend to me this sounds crap when he plays it (not quite my cup o tea) but uber respect fer im avin the guts to say that in all of his live shows to the miners! and i totaly agree!

    MYCRUSTYSCABSon September 17, 2005   Link

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