X:1
T:The Deserter
B:Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, Vol 2, p 127, No 232, ed Maud Karpeles , Oxford University Press, 1974
S:Mr Rapsey at Bridgwater, Somerset, 12 April 1906
Z:Cecil Sharp
F:http://www.folkinfo.org/songs
M:3/4     %Meter
L:1/8     %
K:D
AA |d2 c2 (dB) |(AF) D2 (DF) | A2 (AG) E2 | D4
w:O a-drink-ing a--drink--ing, a--drink-ing_ went I
FF |E2 E2 (EF) | G2 F2 E2 |A2 c2 B2 | A4
w:When a re-cruit-ing_ ser-geant by chance came that way
A2 |DF A2 (AF) |GG F2 A2 |d2 f2 e2 | (d2 c2)
w:He treat-ed me, he_ 'list-ed me till I did not know,_
A2 |d2 c2 B2 |(AG) D2 (DE) | A2 (AF) E2 | D4
w:And to the Queen's bar--racks they_ forced me_ to go
D2 |DF A2 F2 | GA F2 (Ac) |d2 f2 e2 | (d2 c2)
w:He treat-ed me, he 'list-ed me till_ I did not know,_
A2 |d2 c2 B2 |(AF) D2 (DF) |A2 (AG) E2 | D4|]
w:And to the Queen's bar--racks they_ forced me_ to go.
W:(Version A)
W:
W:O a-drinking a-drinking, a-drinking went I
W:When a recruiting sergeant by chance came that way
W:He treated me, he 'listed me till I did not know,
W:And to the Queen's barracks they forced me to go
W:
W:The first time I deserted I thought myself free,
W:The false-hearted companion he informed against me.
W:I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed
W:I was handcuffed and shackled with irons indeed.
W:
W:The next time I deserted I thought myself free,
W:When my false-hearted sweetheart informed against me.
W:I was quickly followed after and brough back with speed
W:I was handcuffed and shackled with irons indeed.
W:
W:When down rode Prince Albert with his carriage and six;
W:Pick me out the young man where his coffin lays deep,
W:You loose him from his irons and set him quite free.
W:He'll make a brave soldier for his Queen and country.
W:
W: 
W:
W:(Version B)
W:When I was apprentice I lived upon the square,
W:I had no pocket money and I didn't think it fair.
W:I resolved to leave my reg'ment, it was sore against my will,
W:And jumping of the bounties, let the luck go where it will.
W:
W:Young men deserters, I'd have you all beware,
W:Leave off your bounty jumping, go live upon the square.
W:The triple guards are plenty, and the government islands nigh,
W:They'll send you back to Washington to pine away and die.
W:
W: