Le déserteur [English translation]

Mr. President, I am writing you a letter

That you might read

If you have time.

I have just received

My military papers

To leave for war

Before Wednesday night

Mr. President

I don't want to do it

I was not put on Earth

To kill innocent people

I don't mean to annoy you

I just have to say

That I have made my decision

I am going to desert

Since my birth

I have seen the death of my father

I have seen my brothers pass away

And my children cry

My mother has suffered so much

That she too is in a tomb

Mocking the bombs

Mocking the worms

When I was made a prisoner

They took away my wife

They took away my soul

And everything important from my past

Early tomorrow morning

I will close my door

On these violent years

I will go into the streets

I will beg

On the roads of France

From Bretagne to Provence

And I will tell people

Do not obey

Do not do it

Don't go to war

Refuse to leave

If you have to give your blood

Go and give it

You're a real apostle

Mr. President

If you follow me

Warn your soldiers

That I will have no weapons

But they should take theirs

• Artist:Boris Vian