Elvis Costello — The First To Leave

[Verse 1] I should open with a kiss For if you're reading this You must have opened up your case And found this letter where I placed it In between the silk and lace There were other clues Like your walking shoes But I still refused to believe That you were meant to be the first to leave [Bridge] Everybody here sends you their love How could I forget you still walk above Or below Perhaps you'll never know this purgatory We never could agree There's a thought, there's a pause No time to repent Eternally yours In a permanent Lent [Verse 2] But if I should give you up If you're right and life just stops And I never see your face again Then from unearthly pleasures, proud and plain I shall abstain Till you realize my loss is your surprise Unless you know otherwise Then don't grieve You see I had to be the first to leave