Fairport Convention - The Deserter Lyrics
As I was a-walking down Radcliffe highwayA recruiting party came a-beating my wayThey enlisted me and treated me till I did not knowAnd to the Queen's barracks they forced me to goWhen first I deserted, I thought myself freeUntil my cruel comrade informed against meI was quickly followed after and brought back with speedI was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on meCourt martial, court martial, they help upon meAnd the sentence passed upon me, three hundred and threeMay the Lord have mercy on them for their sad crueltyFor now the Queen's duty lies heavy on meWhen next I deserted, I thought myself freeUntil my cruel sweetheart informed against meI was quickly followed after and brought back with speedI was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on meCourt martial, court martial, then quickly was gotAnd the sentence passed upon me, that I was to be shotMay the Lord have mercy on them for their sad crueltyFor now the Queen's duty lies heavy on meThen up rode Prince Albert in his carriage and sticksSaying "Where is that young man whose coffin is fixed?Set him free from his irons and let him go freeFor he'll make a good soldier for his Queen and country
