The World and His Wife (Live)
Read The World and His Wife (Live) lyrics by Elvis Costello on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
The World and His Wife (Live)
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
(Alternate Slower Version, Submitted by Craig Ciccone)
The family circle gathers 'round from very far and near
To pass around the same remarks they passed away last year
The little girl you dangled on your knee without mishap
Stirs something in your memory and something in your lap
(Chorus)
The juniper berry has a very deadly kiss
I would say that something here is very much amiss
But it's a living and this is the life
For the world and his wife
The world and his wife
The kissing cousins step outside to cuddle and confess
She says sweet nothing at all, it's much more of a mess
She says, "Our Mother and someone else's Father
Went for two weeks holiday in Tarmasalata."
Daddy went out the rubbish and he kept on walking
Between Mum and the walls, God only knows who does the talking
Chorus
The conversation melts like chocolate down our open jaws
Through the loud appeal of laughter and the counting of [?]
And 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
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The World and His Wife (Live)"?
Elvis Costello performs "The World and His Wife (Live)", and this lyric page sits inside the Elvis Costello catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The World and His Wife (Live)"?
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.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on The World and His Wife (Live) yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.