Elvis Costello - Forty-Five lyrics

Bells are chiming for victory

There's a page back in history - 45

They came back to the world that they fought for

Didn't turn out just like they thought - 45

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring

What did you lose, what did you gain, what did you win?

Nine years later a child is born

There's a record so you put it on - 45

Nine years more if we're lucky now

Nine year old puts his money down - 45

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat

Every breath that I held for you - 45

There's a stack of shellac and vinyl

Which is yours now or which is mine? - 45

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring

What did you lose, what did you gain, what did you win?

Bass and treble heal every hurt

There's a rebel in a nylon shirt

But the words are a mystery I've heard

Till you turn it down to thirty-three and a third

'Cause it helps with the elocution

Corporations turn revolutions - 45

I heard something peculiar said

"Perhaps he's got a shot" and "Now he's dead" - 45

So don't you weep and shed(?)

Just change my name instead

But what do you lose when it all goes to your head?

Bells are chiming and tears are falling

It creeps up on you without a warning - 45

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat

Every breath that I've blessed

I'll be lost I confess - 45 45 45