Shipbuilding

"Shipbuilding" is a song written by singer/songwriter Elvis Costello and producer Clive Langer. Written during the Falklands War of 1982, Costello's lyrics discuss the contradiction of the war bringing back prosperity to traditional shipbuilding areas of Merseyside (Cammell Laird), Tyneside (Swan Hunter) and Belfast (Harland and Wolff) to build new ships to replace those being sunk in the war, whilst also sending off the sons of these areas to fight and, potentially, lose their lives in those same ships. According to Clive Langer, he'd written the tune for Robert Wyatt but wasn't happy with the lyrics that he had written himself. Langer played the tune to Costello at a party hosted by Nick Lowe, and within days Costello had written lyrics he described as "the best lyrics I've ever written" Versions Robert Wyatt released the song in 1982 and reached number 36 in the UK charts in May of that year. On the recording he is backed by Clive Langer (organ), Steve Nieve (piano), Mark Bedford (double bass), Martin Hughes (drums) and Elvis Costello (backing vocals) Costello recorded his own version of the song for his 1983 album Punch the Clock, featuring a performance by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Other versions have been recorded by Suede, Hue and Cry, Tasmin Archer, Mark Mulcahy, Graham Coxon, and Swan Arcade.

[Verse 1] Is it worth it? A new winter coat and shoes for the wife And a bicycle on the boy's birthday [Chorus] It's just a rumor that was spread around town By the women and children Soon we'll be shipbuilding [Verse 2] Well, I ask you The boy said, "Dad, they're going to take me to task But I'll be home by Christmas" [Chorus] It's just a rumor that was spread around town Somebody said that someone got filled in For saying that people get killed In the results of their shipbuilding [Post-Chorus] With all the will in the world Diving for dear life When we could be diving for pearls [Chorus] It's just a rumor that was spread around town A telegram for a picture postcard Within weeks they'll be reopening the shipyard And notifying the next of kin once again It's all we're skilled in We will be shipbuilding [Post-Chorus] With all the will in the world Diving for dear life When we could be diving for pearls