Six-Fingered Man - Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint

Six-Fingered Man

Playing a seven-string guitar

There are Seven Deadly Sins

Any one of them can do you in

Take what you lost from what you win

It’s never enough

Six-Fingered Man

Always the first to blow his horn

His achievements multiply

Pity half of them seem to be lies

Always helps to advertise

It’s never enough

He seems so satisfied

With a reputation to protect

Unless he thinks that you’re more qualified

Gets so much of his own affection

Stares for hours at his reflection

Long-legged gal walking a very tiny man

They say that it should be forbidden

Must be something he has hidden

Take what you want from what you’re given

Oh, it’s never enough

Six-Fingered Man

Shaking his fist at everyone

Couldn’t even act his age

If you put him on a stage

You might say he’s all the rage

But it’s never enough

Getting his prints on everything

He’s got semi-precious gems

Glinting in his signet ring

Needs his fingers and his thumbs

To help him calculate his sums

Six-Fingered Man

Can’t be bothered to stir himself

Sleeps the whole day long or more

Dreams of someone he adores

Drains one drink and starts to pour

Oh, it’s never enough

Oh, it’s never enough

Oh, it’s never enough

Six-Fingered

Man Alive!

How’d I ever get along with five?