Nothing clings like Ivy
Frightened by the dark
Though she cuts deep
It never leaves a mark
No one quite like Ivy
Ever gets it straight
What she believes
She won't negotiate
All the words of tenderness
That never quite got through
She says, "You know how young girls are
From my contempt for you"
Outside in the hollow
She may dare herself
For there may be
A serpent in the grass
Nothing clings like Ivy
Trying to scare herself
And it may strike or
Wait for her to pass
All the words of tenderness
That she never possessed
"So what's the use of promises?"
"I had my fingers crossed"
All the words of tenderness
hat never quite got through
She said, "I laughed behind your back
When I told them to you"
Nothing clings like Ivy
Frightened by the dark
Though she cuts deep
It never leaves a mark
----------------------------------------------------
Musicians Elvis Costello - vocals, Gibson Les Paul guitar
Emmylou Harris - vocal harmony
Steve Nieve - upright piano
Davey Faragher - Hofner bass
Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded April 2004, Sweet Tea, Oxford, MS
Emmylou Harris recorded at Ocean Way Studios, Nashville
Released September 20, 2004
First known performance:
March 12, 2004, Santa Rosa, CA
Frightened by the dark
Though she cuts deep
It never leaves a mark
No one quite like Ivy
Ever gets it straight
What she believes
She won't negotiate
All the words of tenderness
That never quite got through
She says, "You know how young girls are
From my contempt for you"
Outside in the hollow
She may dare herself
For there may be
A serpent in the grass
Nothing clings like Ivy
Trying to scare herself
And it may strike or
Wait for her to pass
All the words of tenderness
That she never possessed
"So what's the use of promises?"
"I had my fingers crossed"
All the words of tenderness
hat never quite got through
She said, "I laughed behind your back
When I told them to you"
Nothing clings like Ivy
Frightened by the dark
Though she cuts deep
It never leaves a mark
----------------------------------------------------
Musicians Elvis Costello - vocals, Gibson Les Paul guitar
Emmylou Harris - vocal harmony
Steve Nieve - upright piano
Davey Faragher - Hofner bass
Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded April 2004, Sweet Tea, Oxford, MS
Emmylou Harris recorded at Ocean Way Studios, Nashville
Released September 20, 2004
First known performance:
March 12, 2004, Santa Rosa, CA