Elvis Costello - Favourite Hour (Church Studios version) lyrics

Figure hanging on a leather band Cog consults the watch he cups in his hand Bej**elled movement measures lost and vanished time Pray for the boy who makes his bed in cold earth and quicklime So stay the hands, arrest the time 'Till I am captured by your touch Blessings I don't count Small mercies and such The flags may lower as we approach the favourite hour Now there's a tragic waste of brutal youth Strip and polish this unvarnished truth The tricky door that gapes beneath the ragged noose The crippled verdict begs again for the lamest excuse So stay the hands, arrest the time 'Till I am captured by your touch Blessings I don't count Small mercies and such The flags may lower as we approach the favourite hour Pull out my eyes so I may never spy Waving branches as they're waving goodbye Their vile perfume brings to my mouth a bitter taste The murmuring brooks had best speak up, it's a terrible waste So stay the hands, arrest the time 'Till I am captured by your touch Blessings I don't count Small mercies and such The flags may lower as we approach the favourite hour