Accueil > Chansons > McCafferty

McCafferty

anonyme


Text anonymous (≤1981). Tune : « ? ».


Now all young soldiers listen to me
the story of McCafferty
a dreadful tale I will relate
be cautioned by my early fate
barely 18 years of age
into the Army I did engage
 
I left my work with a good intent
to join the 42nd regiment
to Fullwood Barracks I did go
to serve my time at that depot
 
But my life their was misery
my Captain took a great dislike to me
on sentry duty one fine day
some soliders children came around to play
from the officers quarters my Captain came
and ordered me to take their parents name
 
I took one name instead of three
for neglect of duty my captain charged me
across the square they escorted me
to serve my time in cell block 3
 
I did two weeks of packload drill
instructors shouting kill, kill, kill.
One thing they impressed on me
that I must kill my enemy.
 
With loaded rifle I did prepare
to shoot my Captain across the square
It was Captain Hammond I meant to kill
but I shot the Colonel against my will
 
To Preston Assizes they took me
a hostile Judge and a bored jury
The judge he said McCafferty
Prepare to hang upon gallows tree
 
I had no father to take my part
I had no mother to break her heart
I had one friend a girl was she
Who laid her life down for McCafferty
 
Now all young soldiers listen to me
do your duty diligently
learn all you can up on the Barrack ground
and shoot the right bastards when the time comes ’round.

Paru aussi dans : South London Anarchist Group (ed.). — Anarchist song book, to tunes you know. — London [UK] : South London Anarchist Group, [1981] (p. 48).