"Shipbuilding" is a song written by singer/songwriter Elvis Costello and producer Clive Langer. Written during the Falklands War of 1982, Costello's lyrics discuss the contradiction of the war bringing back prosperity to traditional shipbuilding areas of Merseyside (Cammell Laird), North East England (Swan Hunter) and Belfast (Harland and Wolff) to build new ships to replace those being sunk in the war, whilst also sending off the sons of these areas to fight and, potentially, lose their lives in those same ships.
Is it worth it? A new winter coat and shoes for the wife And a bicycle on the boy's birthday It's just a rumour that was spread around town By the women and children Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you The boy said, "Dad they're going to take me to task But I'll be back by Christmas" It's just a rumour that was spread around town Somebody said that someone got filled in For saying that people get killed in the result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world Diving for dear life When we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumour that was spread around town A telegram or a picture-postcard Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard And notifying the next of kin - once again
It's all we're skilled in We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world Diving for dear life When we could be diving for pearls