Many men have loved the bells B F
You fastened to the reign B F
And everyone who wanted you d g
They found what they will always want again d C d C
Your beauty lost to you yourself e a
Just as it was lost to them e a
Oh take this longing from my tongue F C
Whatever useless things these hands have done F C
Let me see your beauty broken down F C
Like you would do for one you loved. e F C

Your body like a searchlight
My poverty revealed
I would like to try your charity
Until you cry now you must try my greed
And everything depends upon
How near you sleep to me
Just take this longing from my tongue
And all the lonely things my hands have done
Let me see your beauty broken down
Like you would do for one you love.

Hungry as an archway
Through which the troops have passed
I stand in ruins behind you
With your winter clothes
And your broken sandal straps
I love to see you naked over there
Especially from the back
Ah take this longing from my tongue
And all the lonely things my hands have done
Untie for me your hired blue gown
Like you would do for one you love.

You're faithful to the better man
I'm afraid that he left
So let me judge your love affair
In this very room where I have sentenced mine to death
I'll even wear these old laurel leaves
That he's shaken from his head
Just take this longing from my tongue
All the useless things these hands have done
Let me see your beauty broken down