The Deserter

D  C  G   D  C  G

   D                G              
As I was a-walking along Ratcliffe 
C
Highway
Am  D                       G   
A   recruiting party came 
    C  D
a-beating my way.
       G             D            
They enlisted me and treated me 
   G         C
'til I did not know
Am  D                            
And to the Queen's barracks they 
G         C  D
forced me to go.

     D                   G     
When first I deserted, I thought 
         C
myself free
Am  D                      G    
Un--til my cruel comrade 
    C      D
informed  against me.
      G                D         
I was quickly followed after and 
G                 C
brought back with speed,
Am    D                          
I was handcuffed and guarded, 
   G         C  D
heavy irons put on me.

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      D                            
Court martial, court martial, they 
G         C
held upon me
Am  D                            
And the sentence passed upon me, 
      G       C   D
three hundred and three.
        G               D         
May the Lord have mercy on them 
  G              C
for their sad cruelty,
Am  D                         G 
For now the Queen's duty lies 
    C  D
heavy on me.

     D                  G     
When next I deserted, I thought 
         C
myself free
Am  D                         G 
Un--til my cruel sweetheart 
      C      D
informed against me.
      G                D         
I was quickly followed after and 
G                 C
brought back with speed
Am    D                          
I was handcuffed and guarded, 
   G         C  D
heavy irons put on me.

      D                           
Court martial, court martial then 
G           C
quickly was got
Am  D                            
And the sentence passed upon me, 
     G        C   D
that I was to be shot.
        G               D         
May the Lord have mercy on them 
  G              C
for their sad cruelty,
Am  D                         G 
For now the Queen's duty lies 
    C  D
heavy on me.

     D                            
Then up rode Prince Albert in his 
G            C
carriage and six,
Am       D                       
Saying, “Where is that young man 
      G      C  D
whose coffin is fixed?
        G             D         G
Set him free from his irons and 
          C
let him go free,
Am        D                      
For he'll make a good soldier for
     G         C   D
 his Queen and country.”