Le déserteur [English translation]

Mister President

I am writing this letter

You will perhaps read

If you have the time.

I have just received

My enlisting papers

Recruiting me to go and fight in the war

Before Wednesday night

Mister President

I don't want to fight

I have not been put on this earth

To go and kill poor sods!

I don't want to make you cross

But I have to tell you

My decision is made

I am going to be a deserter

Since I 've been born

I have seen my father die,

All my brothers leave, never to return

And my children cry!

My mother grieved so much

She is now in her coffin

She couldn't care less about bombs

And about the maggots!

When I was a prisoner

They stole my wife

They stole my soul

And my whole life.

Tomorrow at dawn

I will close the door behind me

Locking all the dead years away

And I will be on my way

I will beg for my keep

All over France

From Brittany to Provence,

And I will tell the people:

"Do not obey,

Do not take part in this,

Do not go to war

Refuse to go!

If blood has to be spilled

Go and spill yours!

You're A fine one to preach,

Mister President!

If you look for me,

Tell your Police

That I will be unarmed

And that they can shoot...

• Artist:Boris Vian