Elvis Costello - He's Given Me Things

"He's Given Me Things"

He's given me things you never would have
And if you did you'd want them back
Forgiven me things I didn't know that
I had done, but just faded to black

He's given me time and consolation
Some verses to read and lines to say
I will stay here for a while now
He call me "child" now
But it works that way

He's given me things you couldn't guess at
I don't mean jewels although they were fine
A way to depart, one way to enter
A right to dismiss upon a whim
When I close the door and you're supposing
I kick up my heels and then I scream
"Why was I chosen?" You'll never know
What I give to him

He's given me things you never thought of
Because they were not yours to give
So take this pill and tranquilize
And roll your eyes at the husbands
Not the customer's wives

He's forgiven me trials and tears and tantrums
And even all my false alarms
You sat there amused while I was crying
And just seemed to sigh but that's money can buy
And now I know why I come back to him
And now I know why you'll never do

Who are you?
Out there with one penny
You are so many
And we are so few

So cover the canvas if you're leaving
There's a bowl in the hallways to wash your hands
If the waters runs black please leave some silver
Then step past the glass and never come back
I'm living up here and you can see me
Yes, you can look but you can't touch
'Cause you don't belong, the air is thin here
You may asphyxiate my dear
For didn't you tell me "You should hold me"
"Oh please, you must hold me, as if I were hung"
To think you were exciting when love was frightening
But I was so young

He's given me things you never dreamed of
Where hopes are dashed and trash is praised
He has an awful lot of money
The past can be bought and then erased