Elvis Costello — Theyre Not Laughing at Me Now

Tell me, how does it feel? In the hour of deception and the moment of pretend To be scorned by those rank and those unkind strangers You were fool enough to call your friends Will you say as the curtain descends? "They're not laughing at me now" When the last of the garlands and laurel crowns And fine bouquets have all been swept away You were lost in the smokescreens of cavalcades And accolades instead of traitor's pay Where will you find thе courage to say? "They're not laughing at me now" You could shake my hand If I could unfold my fist If I were a gentleman If I were a Christian But I wouldn't risk it Why would you? You know my name now And it's "Mister" to you Now we're back at the start, no forgiveness in your heart You turned your coat and asked me to turn my cheek And it's all in a language That I can understand but never bring myself to speak I'll leave it to you, if you dare It's a peal too appalling to bear I wonder if you're here or you're there They're not laughing at me now They're not laughing at me now They're not laughing at me now