I Thought I’d Write To Juliet Elvis Costello (Ft. The Brodsky Quartet)

I thought I'd write to Juliet, for she would understand
And when someone is already dead
They can no longer let you down
Instead I find myself talking to you
As my oldest friend, tell me how I can advise someone
That I don't even know to welcome death

For I received a letter that is worth reporting
And though it may raise a cynical smile
It leaves a sinking feeling
Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant
"Have you seen my pride and joy?"
You know the rest and it's no joke
Forgive me please as I quote:

"This is a letter of thanks
As I'm so bored here in I can't say where
So I'm writing to people that I may never meet
And I was thinking of something you said"

"I'm a female soldier, my name is Constance
I enlisted in the military needing funds for college
I'm twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive
I imagine I may think again"

"I'm sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack
Your words are a comfort, they're the best things that I have
Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask
I don't know why I am writing to you"