Tulip Bulbs In 17th Century Holland or The Greater Fool Theory

Tulip Bulbs In 17th Century Holland
                            or
 The Greater Fool Theory

Copr. 1993 C. Garvey

There is always
a still greater fool, Wit-
ness
 the high prices of tulips.
          They look very nice
               And their increasing price
      Makes them better investments than blue chips.

     Oh, the more of the throng learns what's there,
The more speculators will dare.
For tomorrow, crowds may,
Think the goods, bought today,
Are increasingly valued and rare.

You may think that the price is too tall
For something  so worthless and small,
   But, it's not what we need,
        It is what we perceive
           As desired and valued by all,

That's what makes rising prices a trend.
 'Cause we know,
 round the very next bend,
 There'll be buyers galore,
               Who'll pay still even more
 And the price will just rise without end.

But, when all-who-will
 are interested,
      And, their spare cash
 they've fully invested,
   Then to sell, if you try,
 You'll find no one to buy,
Your peak price can't now still be digested.

Yes, there's always one more greater fool,
 But take care if you live by that rule,
  When the smoke clears away,
      Let the mirror not say,
 "You're the last and the greatest of fools."
11-19-93 revision.
4-22-93