The Halliard - Patrick McCaffery lyrics

When I was barely eighteen years of age To join the army I did engage I left the factory with a full intent To join the forty-second regiment To Fulwood barracks I then did go To serve a short period in that depot But out of trouble I could not stay For Captain Hanson took a dislike to me While standing sentry there one day Some soldiers' children come out to play I took one name instead of three And neglect of duty they did charge me In the barrack courtroom I did appear But Captain Hanson my sad story wouldn't here My sentence it was quickly signed And to Fulwood barracks theh I was confined For fourteen weeks and thirteen days My sentence rose and turned my brain I would shoot my captain dead on sight Was all that I resolved I'd do each night I saw him walking on the barracks square Walking arm-in-arm with Colonel Blair I raised my rifle and fired to k** And I shot my poor colonel against my will I did the deed I shed the blood At Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood How the judge he said McCaffery Prepare your self for the gallows tree I had no father to take my part I had no mother to break her heart I had one friend and a girl was she And she'd lay down her life for McCaffery So come all you young soldiers take a warning from me Have nothing to do with the British Army For only lies and tyranny That have made a martyr of McCaffery