Many investors have given up on the stock market and run for shelter in U.S. securities. But many others still cling to the notion that stocks are the best road to personal economic salvation. The following poem may be on the lips of this latter group as they imbibe in the New Year.

The Battle-Hymn of
The Stock Trader

Mine eyes once saw a Nasdaq that to 5,000 did soar,
And it stayed there for an instant before plunging through the floor,
If I live but long enough, it will rise to that once more,
The stock market marches on.

I have seen a kid day trader send a bum stock through the roof,
He just sent a chat room message and no one asked him for proof,
‘Cause the folks who frequent chat rooms took this stuff as gospel truth,
The stock market marches on.

I have read of callow analysts stampeding frothing buyers,
And listened as the talking heads join in their upbeat choirs,
Then watched with growing horror as good auditors turned liars,
The stock market marches on.

Let the pessimists go soggy my resolve will never fail,
O’er the long term I know losers are the ones who turn their tail,
I will brush my teeth with champaign and eat lobster by the pail,
The stock market marches on.

Glory, glory, trading profits
Glory, glory, unearned profits
Glory, glory, cap gain profits
And the market marches on.

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