Songtext Forty-five Elvis Costello

Forty-five

Bells are chiming for victory
Theres a page back in history - 45
They came back to the world that they fought for
Didnt turn out just like they thought - 45
Here is a song to sing to do the measuring
What did you lose, what did you gain, what did you win?

Nine years later a child is born
Theres a record so you put it on - 45
Nine years more if were lucky now
Nine year old puts his money down - 45

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I held for you - 45

Theres a stack of shellac and vinyl
Which is yours now or which is mine? - 45

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring
What did you lose, what did you gain, what did you win?

Bass and treble heal every hurt
Theres a rebel in a nylon shirt
But the words are a mystery Ive heard
Till you turn it down to thirty-three and a third
cause it helps with the elocution
Corporations turn revolutions - 45

I heard something peculiar said
Perhaps hes got a shot and now hes dead - 45
So dont you weep and shed(? )
Just change my name instead
But what do you lose when it all goes to your head?

Bells are chiming and tears are falling
It creeps up on you without a warning - 45
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that Ive blessed
Ill be lost I confess - 45 45 45