The Merchant Fleet

We rise and fall in revolts ill-planned and doomed

Tired of inventing ruses

To be more than a name on some tomb

We could not refuse it

But you fearful, slavish souls

You're hiding behind moat walls

You dagger, you noose

Clinched to desks, nailed to benches, tied to counters

While all around us hell is breaking loose

Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, as mercenaries?

Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, in the merchant fleet?

We rise and fall like the winter wheat

With yellow eyes of grain

Not knowing what worlds are confused

With the one we name

You fearful, devilish souls

Hiding behind moat walls

Doing time, clinched to desks

Nailed to benches, tied to counters

While the men around us are no less torn

Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, as mercenaries?

Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, in the merchant fleet?