The song "What Lewis Did Last" by Elvis Costello tells the story of Corporal J. Lewis, a soldier who deserts the battlefield and is haunted by his actions and the memory of a woman named Naomi. The lyrics describe how Lewis runs away from the bullets and manages to evade arrest. He shared with his companions that he needs rest, implying that he is feeling mentally exhausted. Lewis confesses that every night he has dreams in which he sees the faces of the men he killed in battle. These men appear to him, offering their hand but without any ill will towards him. They shake their heads in disapproval, seemingly alluding to Lewis still being haunted by someone else. The focus then shifts to a woman named Naomi. She is portrayed as plain, homely, and unlucky in life. Despite her modest appearance, she desires riches and becomes obsessed with Lewis' prize. The lyrics hint that Naomi meets a tragic end as she falls into the water and drowns. There are no farewell kisses or tender embraces between them, and she is described as guilty of something beyond greed. What troubles Lewis the most, however, is not her pitiful death or her last pleas for survival. It is the fact that, when he remembers how Naomi desperately begged him for something, her face has no features and her tongue has no speech. This suggests that her memory and the impact she had on Lewis have been reduced to a haunting presence with no distinct identity or voice. In the last verse, Lewis's actions take a dark turn. He confesses that he broke through glass to obtain a lock of Naomi's hair and even went so far as to dig up her grave. However, to his horror, he finds that the coffin is empty, intensifying the sense of unease and mystery surrounding Naomi's fate. The story of "What Lewis Did Last" portrays the psychological toll of war, guilt, and the haunting memories that can torment an individual. It explores themes of regret, loss, and the lingering impact of past actions.
