The family circle gather round from very far and near

To pass around the same remarks they passed away last year

The little girl you dangle on your knee without mishap

Stirs something in your memory

And something in your lap



But it`s a living

This is the life

For the world and his wife

The world and his wife



The kissing cousins slip outside to cuddle and confess

She says sweet nothing at all it`s much more of a mess

The conversation melts like chocolate down their open jaws

As the juniper berry slips down just like last night`s drawers



To tell the truth our mum ran off with someone else`s father

Went for two weeks` holiday in taramasalata

Daddy went out with the rubbish and he kept on walking

Between mum and the walls

God only knows who does the talking



But later on in the evening through the tears and fol de rol

Come the sentimental feelings for the lure of vitriol

Longing thoughts go hankering for the old home overseas

With a blindfold and a national anthem

Sung in different keys

Writer : ELVIS COSTELLO
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group