Elvis Costello - 20% Amnesia Lyrics

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What is your destiny? the policewoman said (20% amnesia) 
The word that she wanted was destination I'm afraid (20% amnesia) 
This is your future boy, this is your fate (20% amnesia) 
And you're obsolete and they can't afford to educate you (20% amnesia) 
In his bedtime boot boy jersey 
Ringing up some fantasy tart 
Give me strength or give me mercy 
Life intimidates art 

Give me strength or give me mercy 
Don't let me lose heart 
From rage to anaesthesia 
Twenty percent amnesia 

Were you passed out on the sofa (20% amnesia) 
While justice was bartered by a drunken oaf? (20% amnesia) 
This is all your glorious country thinks of your life (20% amnesia) 
Stripped Jack naked with a Stanley knife (20% amnesia) 

So the German Queen went home again 
But she couldn't find forgiveness 
They made a fist of her hand of friendship 
But it's only business 

Give me strength or give me mercy 
Don't let me lose heart 
From rage to anaesthesia 
Twenty percent amnesia 

The wine you drink has never seen a grape 
And now your sci-fi suit has lost its shape 
But its a dangerous game that comedy plays 
Sometimes it tells you the truth, sometimes it delays it 

Think back, think back if you still can 
When the trumpet sounded and the world began 
Somebody said "We must have won" 
So they started burying the bogeyman 

Mister Gorbachov came cap in hand (20% amnesia) 
From a bankrupt land to a bankrupt land (20% amnesia) 
Mister Gorbachov and some other fella (20% amnesia) 
Were taken to a show called "Cinderella" (20% amnesia) 
It wasn't an accident, it wasn't a mystery (20% amnesia) 
It was calculated and the rest is history (20% amnesia) 

You don't have to listen to me 
That's the triumph of free will 
When there are promises to break 
And dreams to kill 

Give me strength or give me mercy 
Don't let me lose heart 
From rage to anaesthesia 
Twenty percent amnesia 

Send "20% Amnesia" ringtones to your cell

lyrics submitted on 08-07-2005
lyrics corrected on 08-07-2005