Elvis Costello And The Attractions Follow

On the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin' cold the way you left 'em
But at least your lips caressed them
While you packed

Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee
That you poured and didn't drink
But at least you thought you wanted it
That's so much more than I can say for me

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin'
Funny, I don't even care

As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It's been a good year for the roses

After three full years of marriage
It's the first time that you haven't made the bed
I guess the reason we're not talkin'
There's so little left to say we haven't said

While a million thoughts go racin' through my mind
I find I haven't said a word
From the bedroom the familiar sound
Of a baby's cryin' goes unheard

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin'
Funny, I don't even care

As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It's been a good year for the roses

On the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin' cold the way you left 'em