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Shipbuilding Lyrics
Is it worth it?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday.
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children, soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you
The boy said 'Dad, they're going to take me to task
But I'll be home by Christmas.
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The results of their shipbuilding.
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls.
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram for a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be reopening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin
Once again.
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding.
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls.
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday.
By the women and children, soon we'll be shipbuilding
The boy said 'Dad, they're going to take me to task
But I'll be home by Christmas.
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The results of their shipbuilding.
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls.
A telegram for a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be reopening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin
Once again.
We will be shipbuilding.
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls.

Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding is definately in the top 10 of my favorite songs of all time. Unbelievaibly haunting and beautiful, Wyatt's voice is dripping with grief and resignation here. Stunnig and amazing. Robert Wyatt is a genius.
Oh, and the song, writtten by Elvis Costello, is about the Falklands War.

I have grown to love this song.