Song Lyrics

Whenever I'm in the tightest corner
Whenever I feel forlorn
I think of the isle where
I was born
And the duty to which I've sworn
But I woke up in a nightmare
With a Union Jack and half
A crown
John Bull got caught with his
Pants down, again
That's inviting sundown

It's time to do or die
It's time to say "Good-bye"
'Cause I'm the man who lost the
British Empire
Yes I'm the one, I let the
Sun go down

Don't let the shadows lengthen
And cover my good intentions
They say that darkness brings
The right time
But it's also time for tears
I'm so sorry and sincere
Ahead of me a brilliant career
Now I'm going nowhere

It's time to do or die
It's time to say "Good-bye"
'Cause I'm the man who lost the
British Empire
Yes I'm the one I let the
Sun go down

Stay awhile
Delay the night
I'm too young for twilight
They'd tell the sun to hesitate
That's when Britain was Great
Now that the lights are flickering
My pulse is quickening
All over the world the lamps
Will dim
And never be seen again

The balloon's gone up
The night descends
As they lower the flag on
No-man's land
They'll take you down
A peg or two
This is the bitter end

I walk into darkness
It's time to do or die
It's time to say "Good-bye"
'Cause I'm the man who lost the
British Empire
Yes I'm the one, I let the
Sun go down
I let the sun go down
Don't let the sun go down
I let the sun go down

Elvis Costello