Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
In the liner notes to the expanded reissue of 1994’s Brutal Youth, Elvis Costello alludes to “Favourite Hour” as being “about the terrible anticipation of a dread event,” namely the moments leading up to a young man’s execution.
A vocal opponent of the death penalty, Costello has addressed the subj...
[Verse 1]
Figure hanging on a leather band
Cog consults the watch he cups in his hand
Bejewelled movement measures lost and vanished time
Pray for the boy who makes his bed in cold earth and quicklime
[Chorus]
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 favorite hour
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
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 favorite hour
[Verse 3]
Put 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
[Chorus]
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 favorite hour
Favourite Hour was written by Elvis Costello.
Favourite Hour was produced by Mitchell Froom & Elvis Costello.
Elvis Costello released Favourite Hour on Tue Mar 08 1994.