"The Trader"
In the deep black of space
On a Dropship bound for nowhere
I met up with the Trader
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin'
Out the porthole at the darkness
The boredom overtook us, he began to speak
He said, "Son, I've made a life
Out of haulin' people's cargo
Knowin' where the routes were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don't mind me sayin'
I can see you're out of credits
For a taste of Lavian Brandy
I'll give you some advice"
So I handed him my bottle
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed my luxuries
And asked me for a hit
And the ship got deathly quiet
And his faced lost all expression
He said, "If you're gonna play the trades, boy
You gotta learn to play ‘em right
You've got to know where to buy 'em
Know where to sell 'em
Know when to drop your haul
Know when to run
You never count your credits
When you're sittin' in the station
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the tradin's done
Every trader knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' when to drop your haul
And knowin' what to keep
'Cause every haul's a winner
And pirate’s are the losers
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in the deep"
And when he finished speakin'
He turned back toward the porthole
Took one last hit of luxuries
And faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The trader he broke even
And in his final words
I found a route that I could keep
You've got to know where to buy 'em
Know where to sell 'em
Know when to drop your haul
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' in the station
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the tradin's done
You've got to know where to buy 'em
Know where to sell 'em
Know when to drop your haul
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' in the station
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the tradin's done
