Is it worth it? / A new winter coat and shoes for the wife / And a bicycle on the boy’s birthday / It’s just a rumour that was spread around town / By the women and children / Soon we’ll be shipbuilding

Well, I ask you / The boy said: “Dad, they’re going to take me to task. But I’ll be back by Christmas” / It’s just a rumour that was spread around town / Somebody said that someone got filled in / For saying that people get killed in / The result of this shipbuilding

With all the will in the world / Diving for dear life / When we could be diving for pearls

It’s just a rumour that was spread around town / A telegram or a picture postcard / Within weeks they’ll be re-opening the shipyards / And notifying the next of kin once again / It’s all we’re skilled in / We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world / Diving for dear life / When we could be diving for pearls

It’s all we’re skilled in / We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world / Diving for dear life / When we could be diving for pearls / When we could be diving for pearls / When we could be diving for pearls

[By Elvis Costello – Clive Langer © Warner/Chappell Music Inc. – Universal Music Publishing Group, 1983]