McCafferty - Aran Folk
When I was eighteen years of age
Into the army I did engage
I left me home with a good intent
For to join the forty-second regiment
As I was posted on guard one day
Some soldiers' children came out to play
From the officers' quarters me 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
As confined to barracks with loss of pay
For doing me duty the opposite way
A loaded rifle I did prepare
For to shoot me captain on the barracks square
It was me captain that I meant to kill
But I shot me colonel against me will
At Liverpool Assizes me trial I stood
And I held me courage as best I could
And the old judge said
Now McCafferty
Go prepare your soul for eternity
Well I had no father to take me part
Had 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 dignity
It's only lies and a tyranny
That has made a murderer of McCafferty