RUMOUR-MONGER

(Words and tune by Zander Nyrond)

CHORUS	Copper for a rumour, sir or madam, Copper for a rumour, who will buy,
	Silver for a slight exaggeration, Gold for an outright lie.
	Copper for a rumour, cheap and cheerful, Copper for a rumour, take your pick,
	Titillating titbits, teasing trifles, What makes a country tick.

Terrifying tales of torture victims, rotting in the dungeons ten long years,
I can give you names and trumped-up charges, rumours to delight your ears.
Ribald revelations of the reivers, guzzling and groping girls unchaste,
Forces of the foemen fornicating, rumours in the best of taste...

City at a standstill, trade stagnating, copper in your beltpouch not worth beans,
I can make connections undercover, rumours are the ways and means.
Mercenaries murdered, manhunt mounted, moral degradation boosting crime,
I can give you all the juicy details, rumours in their place and time...

Rebels on the rampage, reivers raving, puzzle of a princeling not proved dead,
I can give you guesses good as any, rumours are my daily bread.
Maybe there's a movement, midnight meetings, magic of the mystics used to kill,
I can give you nightmares, make your flesh creep, rumours are the cheapest thrill...

Come and get your rumours, I got plenty, take 'em in the spirit that they're sold,
Nothing can be proved one way or t'other, neither would I be so bold.
Liberty of speech is fundamental, all I do is say what you don't dare,
Seek in vain for substance, not my business, nothing but a load of air...