Into the army I did engage
I left my home with a good intent
For to join the forty-second regiment
While I was 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
On 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 in the barracks square
It was my captain I meant to kill
But I shot my colonel against my will
At Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood
And I held my courage as best I could
Then the old judge said, Now, McCafferty
Go prepare your soul for eternity
I had no father to take my 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 advice from me
And go treat your men with some decency
For it's only lies and a tyranny
That have made a murderer of McCafferty
When I was eighteen years of age Into the army I did engage I left my home with a good intent For to join the forty-second regiment While I was 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 On 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 in the barracks square It was my captain I meant to kill But I shot my colonel against my will At Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood And I held my courage as best I could Then the old judge said, Now, McCafferty Go prepare your soul for eternity I had no father to take my 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 advice from me And go treat your men with some decency For it's only lies and a tyranny That have made a murderer of McCafferty Explain Request ×
Lyrics taken from
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