Elvis Costello - The Scarlet Tide lyrics

Well I recall his parting words

Must I accept his fate?

Or take myself far from this place

I thought I heard a black bell toll

A little bird did sing

Man has no choice

When he wants everything

[Chorus:]

We'll rise above the scarlet tide

That trickles down through the mountain

And separates the widow from the bride

Man goes beyond his own decision

Gets caught up in the mechanism

Of swindlers who act like kings

And brokers who break everything

The dark of night was swiftly fading

Close to the dawn of the day

Why would I want him

Just to lose him again

[Chorus 2x]