Elbow - Our Little Boat lyrics

Take a selfish lover for a while
And apply the tricks you learn
To one you love
Convince yourself the research was worthwhile
And file it under "N" for "No Harm Done"

Lie with a smile in your eyes if you can
These are the things that will make you a man

There is nothing inconsistent bout a liar
He can never change the course
On which he set
Decisions in the white heat of desire
Think nothing of the bitter cold regret
And sins of the father will wake in the son
Til you can't count the cost
Of the damage you've done
These are the things that will make you a man
Oh how can I tell you how sorry I am?

How sorry I am

I took a selfish lover no harm done
Forgetting all the gentle love she gave
The single indiscretion weighed a tonne
And it pushed our little
Boat beneath the waves