Elvis Costello - Rope Lyrics






Down by the harbourside
A boat is fastened by a length of rope.
It was a perfect match,
Dreaming of escape,
Feeling almost detached.
Look beneath the waves -
The seabirds diving down into black water.

The morning bells begin,
Schoolchildren chant and spin.
A length of rope
Below a hanging tree,
Like cruel secrets some of us turn out to be.

Should our love increase,
We are all released like statues from marble.

While in a prison yard,
They're taking turns to guard
A length of rope.
Are you too weak to fight?
Picking up a thread and then stretching it tight.

Look beneath the waves -
The seabirds diving down into black water.
Still our love increased,
We are all released like statues from marble.





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Elvis Costello Rope Comments
  1. A.... ....

    I **adore** this version of this song ... it's actually my favorite version. So touching and poignant. Always makes me tear up a bit.

  2. g.... ....

    This was the lead-in music for a play I worked on years ago - "The Sirens of Titan" by Vonnegut. Set the perfect tone of awful, wondrous amazement - I've never forgotten it :)

  3. L.... F....

    this is one of my favorite songs. i'm so glad i can finally watch the performance from september songs on youtube!

  4. C.... ....

    Amen -- I second that.

  5. r.... ....

    great song, great musicians, great voice

  6. G.... S....

    veralisik wrote "This "Great Performances" show needs to be released on DVD" and I say Amen! to that. Ever since I watched this on TV 12 years ago I have been waiting for that.

  7. E.... ....

    Wow. God bless. The blues aint nothin but a good man feelin' bad.

  8. i.... ....

    It's been quite a while, of course, like shortly after the Juliet Letters came out. It was on a PBS station.

  9. l.... ....

    This deeply existential Kurt Weill song is usually rendered "too pretty." It's great to see it performed with the depth and angst which truly convey it's meaning. Well done!

  10. m.... ....

    TOP NOTCH! There IS NO higher notch you can put this in. Thats it!

  11. i.... ....

    Saw a video about Elvis collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet years ago. Great stuff, and I keep hoping it'll pop up here

  12. s.... ....

    Oh, this is brilliantly done!!

  13. Z.... ....

    One of the most beautiful songs ever written...done to perfection!!

  14. S.... ....

    Elvis Costello with the Brodsky Quartet. Man alive! Good stuff. Anyone got anything from Juliet Letters?

  15. U.... ....

    The whole "September Songs" production is unbelievably good. It's also unbelievable that you can't get the video any where.

  16. K.... ....

    One of the best songs from Kurt Weill! I love it!