You Bowed Down - Elvis Costello, The Attractions

I expect you’re entitled to know why i’m making contact

With acquaintances scattered all over the land

I’d promise you now and again that i’d honour the contract

If it hadn’t crumbled away in my hand

So we broke that vow independently now

But i don’t know why you absolutely deny

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

When you first looked away i might say it was really a kindness

It must have hurt you to see how dreams sour

Now they say that justice and love are the next things to blindness

Well you’re getting plenty of both of them now

And so you parade where appointments are made

And never meant to be kept

Unless you accept

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You value the burnt amber of falling leaves

And you long to delay

As you feel their breath as they whisper

«It won’t hurt you now to betray

If you just bow down»

And now every time that we meet on the edge of hysteria

You’re helping them sell off some new party line

I remember a time when you would have seemed so superior

Now you say «will you please meet this good friend of mine?»

So you’re in demand as long as you kiss their hand

But all the applause is for their name not yours

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You bowed down

You bowed down

You bowed down

You bowed down