Now playing

The Deserter

Chords

4.616 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
D  C  G   D  C  G
As DI was a-walking aGlong Ratcliffe CHighway
AmA   Drecruiting party came a-Gbeating Cmy Dway.
They enGlisted me and Dtreated me 'til GI did not Cknow
AmAnd Dto the Queen's barracks they Gforced me Cto Dgo.
When Dfirst I deserted, I Gthought myself Cfree
AmUn--Dtil my cruel comrade inGformed  aCgainst Dme.
I was Gquickly followed Dafter and Gbrought back with Cspeed,
AmI was Dhandcuffed and guarded, heavy Girons put Con Dme.
Court Dmartial, court martial, they Gheld upon Cme
AmAnd Dthe sentence passed upon me, three Ghundred Cand Dthree.
May the GLord have mercy Don them for Gtheir sad cruelCty,
AmFor Dnow the Queen's duty lies Gheavy Con Dme.
When Dnext I deserted, I Gthought myself Cfree
AmUn--Dtil my cruel sweetheart inGformed aCgainst Dme.
I was Gquickly followed Dafter and Gbrought back with Cspeed
AmI was Dhandcuffed and guarded, heavy Girons put Con Dme.
Court Dmartial, court martial then Gquickly was Cgot
AmAnd Dthe sentence passed upon me, that GI was to Cbe sDhot.
May the GLord have mercy Don them for Gtheir sad cruelCty,
AmFor Dnow the Queen's duty lies Gheavy Con Dme.
Then Dup rode Prince Albert in his Gcarriage and Csix,
AmSaying, “DWhere is that young man whose Gcoffin Cis Dfixed?
Set him Gfree from his Dirons and Glet him go Cfree,
AmFor he'll Dmake a good soldier for his GQueen and CcounDtry.”

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Deserter

by Fairport Convention

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

D C G D C G

D G C

As I was a-walking along Ratcliffe Highway

Am D G C D

A recruiting party came a-beating my way.

G D G C

They enlisted me and treated me 'til I did not know

Am D G C D

And to the Queen's barracks they forced me to go.

D G C

When first I deserted, I thought myself free

Am D G C D

Un--til my cruel comrade informed against me.

G D G C

I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed,

Am D G C D

I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me.

D G C

Court martial, court martial, they held upon me

Am D G C D

And the sentence passed upon me, three hundred and three.

G D G C

May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty,

Am D G C D

For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me.

D G C

When next I deserted, I thought myself free

Am D G C D

Un--til my cruel sweetheart informed against me.

G D G C

I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed

Am D G C D

I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me.

D G C

Court martial, court martial then quickly was got

Am D G C D

And the sentence passed upon me, that I was to be shot.

G D G C

May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty,

Am D G C D

For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me.

D G C

Then up rode Prince Albert in his carriage and six,

Am D G C D

Saying, “Where is that young man whose coffin is fixed?

G D G C

Set him free from his irons and let him go free,

Am D G C D

For he'll make a good soldier for his Queen and country.”

About The Deserter Chords by Fairport Convention

Learn how to play The Deserter by Fairport Convention with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Deserter chords”, “The Deserter guitar chords”, or “Fairport Convention The Deserter chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Deserter chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Deserter lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, G, Am, A.

FAQ — The Deserter by Fairport Convention

How do I play "The Deserter" by Fairport Convention on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Deserter" by Fairport Convention on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Deserter" by Fairport Convention free?

Yes. The chords for "The Deserter" by Fairport Convention are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Deserter" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Deserter" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Deserter"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Deserter" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Deserter" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Deserter" by Fairport Convention with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Fairport Convention below.

What key is "The Deserter" in?

The chords for "The Deserter" show the original chord names (including D, C, G, Am, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.