Elvis Costello - I Thought I'd Write to Juliet lyrics

I thought I'd write to Juliet, for she would understand

And when someone is already dead they can no longer let you down

Instead I find myself talking to you, as my oldest friend

Tell me how I can advise someone, that I don't even know,

To welcome death

For I received a letter that is worth reporting

And though it may raise a cynical smile

It leaves a sinking feeling

Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant...

"Have you seen my pride and joy?..."

You know the rest...and it's no joke...Forgive me please as I quote...

"This is a letter of thanks, as I'm so bored here in I can't

say where.

So I'm writing to people that I may never meet

And I was thinking if something you said..."

"I'm a female soldier, my name is Constance.

I enlisted in the military needing funds for college

I'm twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive

I imagine I may think again..."

"I'm sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack

Your words are a comfort, they're the best thing that I have

Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask

I don't know why I am writing to you"