Elvis Costello — The World And His Wife

[Verse 1] The family circle gathers 'round from very far and near To pass around the same remarks they passed away last year The little girl you dangle on your knee without mishap Stirs something in your memory and something in your lap [Chorus] But it's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife [Verse 2] The kissing cousins slip outside to cuddle and confess She says sweet nothing at all, it's much more of a mess The conversation melts like chocolate down their open jaws As the juniper berry slips down just like last night's drawers [Chorus] It's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife [Bridge] To tell the truth, our Mum ran off with someone else's father Went for two weeks holiday in Taramasalata Daddy went out with the rubbish and he kept on walking Between Mum and the walls, God only knows who does the talking [Chorus] But it's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife [Verse 3] But later on in the evening through the tears and folderol Come the sentimental feelings for the lure of vitriol Longing thoughts go hankering for the old home overseas With a blindfold and a national anthem sung in different keys [Chorus] It's a living This is the life Well it's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life It's a living This is the life For the world and his wife For the world and his wife