Elvis Costello - Shipbuilding lyrics

Is it worth it<br>A new winter coat and shoes for the wife<br>And a bicycle on the boy's birthday<br>It's just a rumour that was spread around town<br>By the women and children<br>Soon we'll be shipbuilding<br>Well I ask you<br>The boy said 'dad they're going to take me to task<br>But I'll be back by christmas'<br>It's just a rumour that was spread around town<br>Somebody said that someone got filled in<br>For saying that people get killed in<br>The result of this shipbuilding<br>With all the will in the world<br>Diving for dear life<br>When we could be diving for pearls<br>It's just a rumour that was spread around town<br>A telegram or a picture postcard<br>Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards<br>And notifying the next of kin<br>Once again<br>It's all we're skilled in<br>We will be shipbuilding<br>With all the will in the world<br>Diving for dear life<br>When we could be diving for pearls