Elvis Costello — Joe Porterhouse

[Verse 1] The children sit upon the stairs High above a valley of tears Don't let them see you crying that way, oh no Oh no, Joe Porterhouse Is not gone forever, he'll be back another day Don't let them see you crying that way [Chorus] Please don't wake him, let him sleep It's a moment she can keep Like an old bus ticket or a photograph Resting on the mantlepiece While for the wicked there is no peace She says "It's not his time to go Why, we were nearly lovers years ago" Now what is left for me Among the broken branches of the family tree? [Verse 2] Heart like an anchor, arms like cable He stood all alone on an iron turntable Don't let them see you crying that way, oh no The sun beats down, it's cracking the flags Boys who should know better are stamping out fags Don't let them see you laughing that way [Chorus] Please don't wake him let him sleep It's a moment she can keep Like an old bus ticket or a photograph Resting on the mantlepiece While for the wicked there is no peace She says "It's not his time to go Why, we were nearly lovers years ago" Now what is left for me Among the broken branches of the family tree? [Outro] Oh no, Joe Porterhouse Is not gone forever he'll be back another day Don't let them see you crying that way