Cities of Gold - Despoilers of the Golden Empire by Randall Garrett

Idoru Toei's musical version of "Despoilers of the Golden Empire" by Randall Garrett featured in "The Pitch Science Fiction 2Q2025" available at: https://lphi.top/p-tpsf-6
Logophilia official website: https://lphi.top/lh
Logophilia official X link: https://x.com/ToeiIdoru

Lyrics SRT:

1
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[Intro]
[instrumental]

1
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Seven centuries have spun their thread,
Since empires rose and then lay dead.

2
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The First fell fast, consumed by strife,
A lesson learned for future life.

3
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[Verse 1]
They sought to balance power’s sway,
Central command in disarray.

4
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But every realm needs strength untold,
A metal rare, more precious than gold.

5
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Not trinkets bright, nor coins of old,
But Element Seventy-Nine, bold!

6
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Gold – the lifeblood, the vital key,
To hold the Empire’s destiny.

7
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[Chorus]
Oh, Gold! The heart of every star,
The engine burning near and far.

8
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A universe held in its gleam,
A desperate hope, a waking dream.

9
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Across the void, ships bravely roam,
Searching for gold to bring it home!

10
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[Vers 2]
He stood tall, Commander Frank by name,
Driven by purpose, fueled by flame.

11
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Broad shoulders, eyes of shadowed brown,
A will unyielding, looking down.

12
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No scientist’s mind, no scholar's grace,
Just soldier’s grit in time and space.

13
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Forty years he’d searched the unknown,
For a strike that would make him known.

14
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[Bridge]
A meager crew, a risky plight,
Short on funds, battling endless night.

15
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They sought a world where gold lay deep,
While others slumbered in their sleep.

16
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Twenty percent to the Crown’s decree,
A heavy price for victory.

17
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[Chorus]
Oh, Gold! The heart of every star,
The engine burning near and far.

18
00:01:51,700 --> 00:01:57,700
A universe held in its gleam,
A desperate hope, a waking dream.

19
00:01:57,700 --> 00:02:03,700
Across the void, ships bravely roam,
Searching for gold to bring it home!

20
00:02:06,700 --> 00:02:09,700
[Verse 3]
Through jungle dark, they marched ahead,
Where alien whispers filled them dread.

21
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The natives wore it, unaware,
Of its true value beyond compare.

22
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But danger lurked in every shade,
A poisoned dart, a deadly raid.

23
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[Bridge]
He spoke of courage, strength and might,
To face the darkness, win the fight.

24
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Armor as shield, a sacred vow,
Against the perils lurking now.

25
00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:46,200
[Chorus]
Oh, Gold! The heart of every star,
The engine burning near and far.

26
00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:52,700
A universe held in its gleam,
A desperate hope, a waking dream.

27
00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:58,700
Across the void, ships bravely roam,
Searching for gold to bring it home!

28
00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:05,700
[Outro]
Gold… Gold… Home…