Shipbuilding was Suede's contribution to the Help album in aid of
Warchild for
Bosnia. It is a cover of the Elvis Costello classic and not surprisingly
I think it is
An improvement on the original; although I am sure Elvis Costello fans
Won't
Agree with me.
Is it worth it, a new winters coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boys birthday
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the woman and children, soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you, the boy said
"Dad there going to take me to task,
But I'll be back by Christmas"

It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in the results of their shipbuilding
With all the will in the world,
Diving for dear life, when we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks we will be reopening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin, once again
It's always killed in,
We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world,
Diving for dear life, when we could be diving for pearls...

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): CLIVE WILLIAM LANGER, ELVIS COSTELLO