Deserted Soldier
The Chieftains with Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics

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Nuair a d'eirigh mé 'r maidin Dé Céadaoin
Níor choisreac mé m'éadan faraor
Nó gur bheir mé ar an arm a ba ghéire
Agus chuir mé a bhéal le cloich liomhth'

Dá mbínnse seacht mbliana faoin talamh
Nó i bhfiabhras na leapa mo luí
A chéadsearc an dtighteá 'gus m'fhiafraí

Scéal cinnte go mbeinn leat mo shuí

Is trua nach marb bhí m'athair
Nuair a chuir sé mé go harm an Rí'
Is gurbh í an uaigh mo chrualeaba feasta
Is a chéadsearc nach trua leat mo luí

Is fada mo chrá croíse a dhéanamh
Mo thumba á prionntáil ag saor
'Gus mo chónra á tógáil lá 'n Earraigh
'Gus na buachailli deasa gabháil faoi

Is trua nach marbh bhí m'athair
Nuair a chuir sé mé go harm an Rí'

Is gurbh í an uaigh mo chrualeaba feasta
Is a chéadsearc nach trua leat mo luí

Overall Meaning

The Chieftains Mary Chapin Carpenter's song Deserted Soldier touches upon the experiences of a soldier who has been forced to leave his loved ones behind to serve his country. The lyrics open with the singer expressing his regret for having left his homeland and his and his family's sorrow at his departure. He admits to having become a member of the army's fiercest regiment, and how he is prepared to sacrifice all, even his own life, for his country. He also mentions having left his beloved behind, and how much he longs to be reunited with her.

In the second verse, the soldier reveals that he has been away from home for seven long years, and how he longs to be reunited with his love. He reveals that he is now lying on his bed, either in the land of the living or in the underworld, and how much he wants his love with him. He asks her to tell him that she will wait for him, no matter what.

The concluding verse is a poignant lament to the soldier's father, now deceased, who had sent his son away to fight in a needless war. He confesses that he has become pale, thin and heartbroken at the thought of never seeing his love again, and how he wishes he was back in his homeland, building his own farm and falling in love with his sweetheart all over again. The song is a testament to the sacrifices that soldiers make when they leave their homes and loved ones to serve their countries.

Line by Line Meaning

Nuair a d'eirigh mé 'r maidin Dé Céadaoin
When I arose on Wednesday morning

Níor choisreac mé m'éadan faraor
I did not adorn my face unfortunately

Nó gur bheir mé ar an arm a ba ghéire
And I will take up the sharpest weapon

Agus chuir mé a bhéal le cloich liomhth'
And I set my mouth to a sharp stone

Dá mbínnse seacht mbliana faoin talamh
If I were seven years under the ground

Nó i bhfiabhras na leapa mo luí
Or in the fever of my bed

A chéadsearc an dtighteá 'gus m'fhiafraí
My first love, will you come to me and ask?

Scéal cinnte go mbeinn leat mo shuí
A certain story that I would sit with you

Is trua nach marb bhí m'athair
It's a pity my father wasn't dead

Nuair a chuir sé mé go harm an Rí'
When he sent me into the king's service

Is gurbh í an uaigh mo chrualeaba feasta
And now the grave will be my bed forevermore