The Deserter
As I was a-walking along ratcliffe highway
A recruiting party came a-beating my way.
They enlisted me and treated me 'til I did not know
Unto 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 mercy on them for their sad cruelty,
For now the 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.''
El desertor
Mientras caminaba por la calle Ratcliffe
Un grupo de reclutamiento se acercó a mi camino.
Me reclutaron y me trataron hasta que ya no sabía
Me obligaron a ir a los cuarteles de la reina.
Cuando deserté por primera vez, pensé que era libre
Hasta que mi cruel camarada delató en mi contra.
Rápidamente me siguieron y me trajeron de vuelta con rapidez,
Me esposaron, me custodiaron, me pusieron pesadas cadenas.
Corte marcial, corte marcial, llevaron a cabo sobre mí
Y la sentencia recaída sobre mí, trescientos tres.
Que el señor tenga piedad de ellos por su cruel trato,
Porque ahora el deber de la reina pesa sobre mí.
Cuando deserté nuevamente, pensé que era libre
Hasta que mi cruel amante delató en mi contra.
Rápidamente me siguieron y me trajeron de vuelta con rapidez
Me esposaron, me custodiaron, me pusieron pesadas cadenas.
Corte marcial, corte marcial rápidamente se llevó a cabo
Y la sentencia recaída sobre mí, que debía ser fusilado.
Que el señor tenga piedad de ellos por su cruel trato,
Porque ahora el deber de la reina pesa sobre mí.
Entonces llegó el príncipe Alberto en su carruaje y seis,
Diciendo, ''¿dónde está ese joven cuyo ataúd está listo?
Libérenlo de sus cadenas y déjenlo ir,
Porque será un buen soldado para su reina y su país.''
Escrita por: Jörgen Elofsson