You Stole My Bell - Elvis Costello

There is a place

Underneath the staircase

Where I keep the evidence

Of what once would offer peace

In a deep blue velvet box filled with joy and pride

Should I pick the locks?

Should I peek inside?

Can I stand the sight of those happy days?

Should I strike a match, burn them all away?

Cos you stole my bell

And you broke my chime

And the clock spins round but it won’t keep time

There are many lovely girls in this cold and loveless world

But not one is the equal of you, heaven knows how much I love you (x2)

So here we are

But it’s not quite like we thought

Those things were priceless then

Now I know they can’t be bought

In a deep blue velvet box fastened with a pin

Should I lift the lid?

Should I look within?

Was it my last chance or my first mistake?

Is it just a step that we’ll never take?

Cos you stole my bell

And you broke my chime

And the clock spins round but it won’t keep time

There are many lovely girls in this cold and loveless world

But not one is the equal of you, heaven knows how much I love you (x3)