Elvis Costello & The Brodsky Quartet I Thought I'd Write To Juliet Lyrics

thought I'd write to juliet, for she would understand
And when someone is already dead they can no longer let you down
Instead I find myself talking to you, as my oldest friend
Tell me how I can advise someone, that I don't even know,
To welcome death

For I received a letter that is worth reporting
And though it may raise a cynical smile
It leaves a sinking feeling
Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant...
Have you seen my pride and joy? ...
You know the rest...and it's no joke...forgive me please as I quote...
This is a letter of thanks, as I'm so bored here in I can't
Say where.
So I'm writing to people that I may never meet
And I was thinking if something you said...

I'm a female soldier, my name is constance.
I enlisted in the military needing funds for college
I'm twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive
I imagine I may think again...

I'm sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack
Your words are a comfort, they're the best thing that I have
Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask
I don't know why I am writing to you