Elvis Costello — Byline

[Verse 1] I read by line by line by line Some words of yours, some words of mine Some sentiments are best forgot Some letters read then folded shut [Verse 2] The profile on the postage stamp I traced it by my reading lamp Remembered when I'd sit in wait Then marked our parting from that date [Verse 3] I read by line by line by line That old sarcastic Valentine That you denied you'd sent to me Then took it back [Bridge] It's a thought that we shared, a careless phrase A curse or a joke, some words of praise But I didn't write Did you wonder why? It was the easiest way to say "Goodbye" [Verse 4] You'll see my photo beside the article "That's just some guy I used to know I was never his He was always mine But I wrote him off by line by line" By line by line by line by line by line by line By line by line