Elvis Costello
Lyric guide

Dirty Rotten Shame

Read Dirty Rotten Shame lyrics by Elvis Costello on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Elvis Costello Canonical path: /elvis-costello/dirty-rotten-shame Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Dirty Rotten Shame

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I recall the good old days

But thankfully, they've gone

Now the ponies all are broken nags

That stumble as they groan

And throw the jockeys from their throne

When there are pitches left to dodge

And lions left to tame

But it's nothing but a dirty rotten shame

It's a dirty rotten shame

That when you're frivolous and strong

It isn't youth, its fearlessness

That has been wasted on the young

The cruel are in the cradle

And the bishop's in the bag

It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame

Now I find life a millionaire

That brags for rags and jewels

A snarling pup is wild enough

But as his anger proves

He's left to sharpen useless tools

That tear and graze and finer phrase

But few are worth the name

It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame

It's a dirty rotten shame

And that is not an idle boast

When all your courage and your strength

Will leave you as you need it most

When there are lamps to dampen

And cauliflowers to flip

It's nothing but a dirty rotten shame

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Who performs "Dirty Rotten Shame"?

Elvis Costello performs "Dirty Rotten Shame", and this lyric page sits inside the Elvis Costello catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Dirty Rotten Shame"?

Yes. The related section below points to All This Useless Beauty and Beautiful with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Elvis Costello?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Elvis Costello's lyric pages.

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