Star Wars Shanty #11 - 'Bound for Nar Shaddaa' (Folk Songs from the Star Wars Universe)

Part of the Star Shanty project: a collection of shanties and other folk music from a galaxy far, far away...

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BOUND FOR NAR SHADDAA

Of all the worst, filthiest, most dangerous ports that make up the galaxy's thriving criminal underbelly, there is none more infamous than Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler's Moon. Orbiting the Hutt homeworld of Nal Hutta, Nar Shaddaa is the nerve center of the galaxy's illegal trade network. As the saying goes, 'All is found in Nar Shaddaa.'

Over-eager, rookie smugglers would often underestimate the threat Nar Shaddaa posed to the inexperienced... so much so that a hyper shanty was written and sung by pirates around the Rim to mock these ignorant, often short-lived traders. The shanty used a Two Caller framework, in which the first shanty caller would play the part of a novice spacer, offering up questions for the second caller (playing the experienced veteran) to answer. The game was to create answers that sounded encouraging on the surface but left hints as to the real nature of the Smuggler's Moon.

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LYRICS

I've got some cargo for my first ship.
(Heave her up and haul away!)
-- I know just the port for your maiden trip.
(We're off to holy ground.)
Can I sell my wares in that distant land?
(Heave her up and haul away!)
-- They'll be glad to take it off your hands.
(For Nar Shaddaa we're bound!)

Chorus
It's a wretched hive, where the ruthless thrive.
If you're cunning and cruel, then you might survive.
Keep your hand at your hip on your blaster's grip,
Or you'll never get out alive.

Does it have a solid economy?
-- No market's ever been more free.
So my goods will fetch a fine, fine price?
-- Not after Grakkus gets his slice.

So are there good spots for some R&R?
-- There's lots of color in every bar.
Hey I hear the Slag Pit's a friendly place?
-- They'll only blast you to your face.

It's the Smuggler's Moon for my first port!
-- And let's hope your journey's not cut short.
They say all is found there for a cost.
-- But really some things are better lost...