I Thought I'd Write to Juliet - Elvis Costello

Words & Music: Mac Manus (4:08)

I thought I'd write to Juliet, for she would understand
And when someone is already dead they can no longer let
you down
Instead I find myself talking to you, as my oldest friend
Tell me how I can advise someone, that I don't even know,
To welcome death

For I received a letter that is worth reporting
And though it may raise a cynical smile
It leaves a sinking feeling
Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant...
"Have you seen my pride and joy?..."
You know the rest...and it's no joke...Forgive me please as
I quote...
"This is a letter of thanks, as I'm so bored here in I can't
say where.
So I'm writing to people that I may never meet
And I was thinking if something you said..."

"I'm a female soldier, my name is Constance.
I enlisted in the military needing funds for college
I'm twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive
I imagine I may think again..."

"I'm sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack
Your words are a comfort, they're the best thing that I have
Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask
I don't know why I am writing to you"

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