Anne Sofie von Otter and Elvis Costello just a curio

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In the cold pale sunlight that was slanting down, I spied
Frost reflecting on the glass and in the air outside
Fond relations mouthing words of love and tragedy
Though it's cold there's vapor rising from a moving stream
In a narrow, shallow bed of fine linen and starch
Where her long hair tumbled once upon her graceful arch
Lace hung on the counters and the walnut cabinets
Teeth were chattering like schoolgirls clicking castanets
There will be no light to guide as you ascend the stairs
There may be a candle as you kneel and say your prayers
Throw the window wide and open, keep this mark from me
Just the letter 'T' and it's most dread companion 'B'
How in heaven, hadn't it been conquered long ago?
How did it come back again? It's just a curio

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