[Narrator]
The soldier, slowly coming back to himself, sits down under a tree,
Yawns once or twice, staring into the void, then opens the book that lies in his lap.
And, like an automaton, still in a trance, he falteringly starts to read.
And the book contained inside information, and instructions on how to use it.
In simple terms it was money for free, and so as the days became weeks and then years
He made money and used it to set right his affairs. And then,
Maybe by choice, or maybe unnaturally drawn to the game,
He became a peddler, a seller of wares.

[Soldier]
Come along ladies! Come buy my frocks.
I've got ballgowns and bustles and top hats and socks
In charcoal gray, pale gray, the gray of the sea.
I’ve got russet, maroon, dark brown and khaki.
I've got every color that you've ever seen.
I’ve got unbleached linen by the yard,
Printed cottons, crepe-de-chine,
Silks and satins, in all shades and sizes,
And all at rock bottom, knock down, pre-war prices.

[Narrator]
So a peddler at first, selling frocks for a start
Then later he need no goods,
For he knew all the tricks of the market by heart.
With the help of the book, he'd learned very well,
The right time to buy and the right time to sell.
[Soldier]
It's more than a book, this, it's wealth untold.
You've only to open it, and lo and behold!
You can have all you want, you're heart's desire.
Anything and everything that you might require.
So while I have time, I shall buy all I can,
Because one day I'll be dead, just like any man.
While the sun shines, I will make hay.
I can have anything I want
Just because I can pay.
Oh my god! Listen to me!
I’ve got everything, but it’s just dawning on my now.
All the things that you can buy, that wealth can provide,
Well, they just seem to leave you feeling empty inside.
And to get things, well, I'm ashamed to admit,
I’ve had to behave like a bit of a shit.
I've had to climb over the hopes of others.
Sometimes the hopes of a comrade or brother.
I've lost friendship and love, so precious, and why?
To accumulate stuff that I just sell and buy.
Oh, to still have the things that I had before.
The real, true, good things
That I have no more.