[ Strict Time von Elvis Costello ]




Intro:  G C G C G C G C

G
There's a hand on a wire that leads to my mouth
           G
I can hear you knocking but I'm not coming out
      C                                      
Don't want to be a puppet or a ventriloquist
                                                 G
'Cause there's no ventilation on a critical list
D                                    C
Fingers creeping up my spine are not mine to resist
G
Strict time


Chorus:
D                      
Toughen up, toughen up
                            C
Keep your lip buttoned up
                   G
Strict time


G
Oh the muscles flex and the fingers curl
           G
And a cold sweat breaks out on the sweater girl
    G
Strict time
C
Oh he's all hands, don't touch that dial
                C
The courting cold wars weekend witch trial
G
Strict time
D                                       C
All the boys are straight laced and the girls are frigid
                                                          G
The talk is two-faced and the rules are rigid 'cause it's strict time
      G
Strict time

**Chorus

G
You talk in hushed tones, I talk in lush tones
      G
Try to look Italian through the musical Valium
      G
Strict time
C
Thinking of grand larceny
                                         D
Smoking the everlasting cigarette of chastity
          D
Cute assistants staying alive
C                                 G
More like a hand job than the hand jive
      G
Strict time


**Chorus
**Chorus