ARCHER OF EMPIRE

(Tune: "I'm a Hard-Working Boater" (trad.?))


I'm an Archer of Empire and old as the stars
My skin it is lined with a thousand years' scars
And I spend all me time in the down at heel bars
Just waiting for offers of labour.
I'll take any vessel and I'll make it fly
If I've got to run blindfold I'll curse but I'll try
For what else can you do when you can't even die
But beg for John Company's favour.

I've crossed this damn galaxy ten times or more
From the plateaux of Darkreach to Gazer's bleak shore
And I've pounded the boards till me hands were all sore
And me blood runnin' over the plating.
I've fought for me breath with the gauges on red
When the stars' mocking laughter rang cold in my head
And I've hated and loved; but my loves are all dead
And I'm too tired to carry on hating.

Here's a curse on the Empire and on that black day
When the life in my body was blasted away
And on all those cruel bastards who made me this way
And now in their graves are all lying.
And to my fellow Archers rich tickets and fair,
A sweet runnin' vessel, clear screens and good air,
And if you get to heaven, inquire for me there
If God has a ship he wants flying.