Straining their breath through their Teeth as they deftly tie Gold rings in ringlets Adorning his head Hold in adoration the Ill-fitting form Between coat hanging shoulders A body is warm A thing of beauty is a joy forever There's silt at the bottom but Heaven pours out When the red-throated bottle Unstoppers its mouth Ash on the carpet and Silk on the bed We're framing the best parts and Burning the rest A thing of beauty is a joy forever But splendor is a brittle thing The last ship in the Navy sinks With the last sip of another drink And the lips it slips between Guilt of the father for Sins of the son Temper gestures of love Words of affirmation Stop gilding the carwreck The damage is did If there's something should be said Don't know what it is A thing of beauty is a joy forever But splendor is a brittle thing The last ship in the Navy sinks With the last sip of another drink And the lips it slips between