The Letter

Written in French but I do not know the name of the composer, not do I know who translated the song. It was written, I think, in the early 1950's and was in protest at being called up to fight in the French-Algerian war.

The translation is excellent and how the translator managed to get the internal rhyming so perfect and at the same time keep the whole meaning of the song intact I will never know.

This is definitely the best anti war song I have yet come across.


This letter gentlemen is to you politicians
You men in high positions, please read it if you can.
When I woke up today orders were waiting for me
To go and join the army at once without delay
I shall not Gentlemen, That's why I write this letter,
To say that man had better refuse to fight again.
These words are true I'm sure, I don't mean to upset you,
I only want to let you know that men are sick of war.


For many years we've seen how men have fought each other,
Seen brother snatched from brother, seen children lost in tears.
Mother with swollen eyes cry whilst the rich not caring
Are too busy profiteering and grow fat on crimes and lies
I've seen the prisoners, what did they do to merit,
This sapping of the spirit, this theft of what they were.
Tomorrow I'll be gone, I'll slam the door behind me
On all that will remind me, of cruelty and war


Well then I'll make my way, around the world I'll travel
I'll speak out against evil and this is what I'll say
Man, it's great to be alive and all mankind are brothers
In this world and all others, so help your brothers thrive.
If blood is to be shed, shed yours you politicians
You men in high positions but be it on you head
Follow me if you will, bring out your men and arm them
Tell them that I will not harm them for disarmed I'm safe to kill.