THE COMEDIANS

Elvis Costello's demo version

I sat there alone upon the Ferris wheel
A pastel coloured carriage in the air
I thought you'd leave me dangling for a minute or two
A silly twist upon a childish dare
Below I saw you whispering to another man
Who held the lever that could bring me down
He'd stop the world from turning at your command
It's always something cruel that laughter drowns

And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends
Instead of these comedians

I can hardly hear the music from the carousel
As the wind picks up the carriage starts to sway
As one by one the lights go out, it's closing time
I see you take his hand and walk away
Walk away

They say that you will always be the last to know
They say that all that glitters is not gold
It's not just that you're never coming back to me
It's the bitter way that I was told

And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends
Instead of these comedians

Page last updated: 19 Apr 2008

Music and lyrics by Elvis Costello, THE COMEDIANS was originally released by Costello on his 1984 Goodbye Cruel World. Costello released a demo version of the song with alternate lyrics on a bonus disc that comes with the 2001 deluxe edition of his 1996 album All This Useless Beauty.

It was that haunting demo version that eventually became the version Roy Orbison chose to record. He released it in January 1989 on his album Mystery Girl.

The above lyrics are for Elvis Costello's demo version. Check also the live 30 Sep 1987 version.