I Thought I’d Write To Juliet – Elvis Costello & The Brodsky Quartet

I thought I’d write to Juliet, for she would understand
And when someone is already dead they can no longer let
you down
Instead I find myself talking to you, as my oldest friend
Tell me how I can advise someone, that I don’t even know,
To welcome death
For I received a letter that is worth reporting
And though it may raise a cynical smile
It leaves a sinking feeling
Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant…
“Have you seen my pride and joy?…”
You know the rest…and it’s no joke…Forgive me please as
I quote…
“This is a letter of thanks, as I’m so bored here in I can’t
say where.
So I’m writing to people that I may never meet
And I was thinking if something you said…”

“I’m a female soldier, my name is Constance.
I enlisted in the military needing funds for college
I’m twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive
I imagine I may think again…”

“I’m sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack
Your words are a comfort, they’re the best thing that I have
Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask
I don’t know why I am writing to you”