Thinking for some reason of this song I wrote and recorded probably 15 years ago, during my “Elvis Costello” period…
I used to dream with my eyes wide open
I would sing songs for the deaf and paint pictures for the blind.
I spent my life destroying
every good thing I could find.
I fell in love with a bad idea;
I could look in the mirror and tell myself lies.
It was easy to believe
that there was nothing left inside.
Spent my life looking for the Devil’s daughter
and now all I’ve got left is some wine that used to be water
I used to think through my mental blinders
that the worst thing you could do is learn someone’s last name.
I could never be tied down;
just kept shooting the horses when their legs went lame.
I used to think it would all be ending:
we could dance down to the river and sing songs with the king;
but now looks like the castle’s empty
and it ain’t guarding anything.
Spent my life searching for the Devil’s daughter
and now all I’ve got left is some wine that I wish was water.
Yes it’s true. Pride can bring you down;
just look at anyone after they fall.
You may have seen a miracle, but when the deed is done
the water’s gone, the wine is gone;
there’s no much left at all.
I’ve spent my life living with the Devil’s daughter
and now I’m waiting for someone to come
and change this wine back to water.
1988
