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 'Sad 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.

ELVIS COSTELLO (1983) – SHIPBUILDING