The Once - The Deserter lyrics
[The Once - The Deserter lyrics]
As I was a-walking along Radcliffe highway
A recruiting party came a-beating my way
They enlisted me and treated me
Till I did not know
And to the Queen's barracks they
Forced me to go
When first I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel comrade informed against me
I was quickly followed after and
Brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded
Heavy irons put on me
Court martial, court martial
They held upon me
And the sentence passed upon me
Three hundred and three
May the Lord have mеrcy on
Them for their sad cruelty
For now thе Queen's duty lies heavy on me
When next I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel sweetheart informed against me
I was quickly followed after and
Brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded
Heavy irons put on me
Court martial, court martial
Then quickly was got
And the sentence passed upon me
That I was to be shot
May the Lord have mercy on
Them for their sad cruelty
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me
Then up rode Prince Albert in
His carriage and six
Saying "Where is that young man
Whose coffin is fixed?
Set him free from his irons
And let him go free
For he'll make a good soldier
For his Queen and country"
A recruiting party came a-beating my way
They enlisted me and treated me
Till I did not know
And to the Queen's barracks they
Forced me to go
When first I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel comrade informed against me
I was quickly followed after and
Brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded
Heavy irons put on me
Court martial, court martial
They held upon me
And the sentence passed upon me
Three hundred and three
May the Lord have mеrcy on
Them for their sad cruelty
For now thе Queen's duty lies heavy on me
When next I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel sweetheart informed against me
I was quickly followed after and
Brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded
Heavy irons put on me
Court martial, court martial
Then quickly was got
And the sentence passed upon me
That I was to be shot
May the Lord have mercy on
Them for their sad cruelty
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me
Then up rode Prince Albert in
His carriage and six
Saying "Where is that young man
Whose coffin is fixed?
Set him free from his irons
And let him go free
For he'll make a good soldier
For his Queen and country"