‘McCafferty’…the story of the song Published in 18th-19th - Century History, Features, Issue 2 (Summer 1995), Volume 3 When I was scarcely eighteen years of age, Into the army I did engage, I left my house with full intent To join the forty-second [sic] regiment; To Fulwood barracks I then did go To do some duty in that old depot, But out of trouble I never was free, For my captain took a dislike to me. As 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 to take the parents’ names. I took one name just out of three, For neglect of duty he then charged me, To the orderly room the next morning I did appear, But my sad story he refused to hear. With a loaded rifle I did prepare To shoot my captain on the barrack square, It was my captain I meant to kill, But I shot my colonel against my will; I shot my colonel I shed the blood, At Liverpool assizes my trial I stood, Says the judge to me, ‘McCafferty, Prepare yourself for the gallows tree’. I have no mother to break her heart, Nor yet a father to take my part, But I have one and a girl is she, Would lay down her life for McCafferty. All you young officers take warning by me, And treat your men with some decency, But all you people who pass this way, Say ‘May the Lord have mercy on McCafferty’. ____________________ (Lyrics from the late Patrick Loughran, Lurgan, County Armagh) www.historyireland.com/mccafferty-the-story-of-the-song/
