Songtexte: Elvis Costello. King of America. Poisoned Rose.

The poisoned rose
That you gave to me
It left me half alive
And half in ecstasy

But if half of your love
Is all I can win
Give me just a fraction
But no more medicine

The poisoned rose
On a valentine card
That you take straight to the heart
That you call my junkyard

But if all I can do
Is save pieces of you
The piece of your mind
The piece of your heart

Didn't tear me apart
Like the poisoned rose
I received from you
I don't know

How we came to grow
Into this very sad affair
Everytime we do the decent thing
Somebody spikes the drink
And a single becomes a pair

The poisoned rose
That you wear at your best
That I keep pressed between the white sheets
Where you lie half undressed

I threw away my shirt and shoes
You looked and I dived in
It's just you and me now
'Cause I threw away the gin

I threw away your alibis
And all your worn out clothes
I threw myself upon the floor
But I couldn't throw away

This poisoned rose, this poisoned rose
This poisoned rose