The Dubliners - Mccafferty

McCafferty

When I was eighteen years of age
Into the army I did engaged
as posted on guard one day
Some soldiers' children came out to play
From the officers' quarters my captain came
And he ordered me for to take their names

I took one name instead of three
For neglect of duty they then charged me
I was confined to barracks with loss of pay
For doing my duty the opposite way

A loaded rifle I did prepare
For to shoot my captain on the barracks square
Well it was my captain I meant to kill
But I shot my colonel against me will

At Liverpool assizes me trial I stood
And I held me courage as best I could
Then the old judge said: 'Now McCafferty
Go prepare your soul for eternity'

I had no father to take me part
No loving mother to break her heart
I had one friend and a girl was she
Who'd lay down her life for McCafferty

So come all you officers take this advice from me
And go treat your men with some decency
For it's only lies and the tyranny
That has made a martyr of McCafferty