Bond Basics and Cash Flow Structure

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Maria buys a promise made of paper and time
A government note that pays her dime by dime
One thousand dollar face, that's what she'll receive
In five years when maturity sets her free

The coupon rate's five percent, carved in stone
Semi-annual payments heading to her home
Twenty-five dollars twice each calendar year
Until that final payment makes the debt disappear

[Chorus]
Face, Coupon, Maturity - the trinity of bonds
Cash flowing like a river from corporate ponds
Interest first, principal last
Bond basics built to last
Face, Coupon, Maturity - remember these three
Your lending recipe

[Verse 2]
Corporations hungry for expansion cash
Issue bonds to fund their ambitious dash
You become the banker, they become debtor
Fixed income streams make portfolios better

Zero-coupon bonds skip the payment dance
Selling cheap today for future finance
Deep discount purchase, full value return
Time alone makes compound interest burn

[Chorus]
Face, Coupon, Maturity - the trinity of bonds
Cash flowing like a river from corporate ponds
Interest first, principal last
Bond basics built to last
Face, Coupon, Maturity - remember these three
Your lending recipe

[Bridge]
Timeline tells the story clear
Coupon payments year by year
Until maturity arrives at last
Principal repaid, the contract passed

[Verse 3]
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds
Government's financial wands
Municipal bonds from cities small
Corporate debt that funds it all

Credit risk and interest rate
Market forces seal your fate
But understand the basic flow
Before advanced concepts grow

[Chorus]
Face, Coupon, Maturity - the trinity of bonds
Cash flowing like a river from corporate ponds
Interest first, principal last
Bond basics built to last
Face, Coupon, Maturity - remember these three
Your lending recipe

[Outro]
When you lend, you need to know
How the promised payments flow
Face value waits at journey's end
While coupons pay to make friends

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