Lyrics The First to Leave - Elvis Costello & The Brodsky Quartet

I should open with a kiss
For if you′re reading this
You must have opened up your case
And found this letter where I placed it
In between the silk and lace
There were other clues, like your walking shoes
But I still refused to believe
That you were meant to be the first to leave

Everybody here sends you their love
How could I forget you still walk above
Or below
Perhaps you'll never know this Purgatory
We never could agree
There′s a thought, there's a pause
No time to repent
Eternally yours in a permanent Lent

But if I should give you up
If you're right and life just stops
And I never see your face again
Then from unearthly pleasures, proud and plain
I shall abstain
′Til you realise, my loss is your surprise
Unless you know otherwise, then don′t grieve
You see I had to be the first to leave