Another gem from the pen of the great Mark Knopfler, this song was recorded by Niamh Parsons on her latest CD, "Heart's Desire". It's quite timely as young men are again following "our little corporal" into battle, blinded by dreams of empire.

Done with Bonaparte   (Lyrics Mark Knopfler; air trad. I)

We've paid in hell since Moscow burned
As Cossacks tear us piece by piece
Our dead are strewn a hundred leagues
Though death would be a sweet release
    And our Grande Armee is dressed in rags
    A frozen, starving beggar band
    Like rats we steal each other's scraps
    And fall to fighting hand to hand

CH:   Save my soul from evil, Lord
      And heal this soldier's heart
      I'll trust in thee to keep me, Lord
      I'm done with Bonaparte   

What dreams he made for us to dream
The Spanish skies, Egyptian sands
The world was ours, we marched upon
Our little corporal's command
    And I lost an eye at Austerlitz
    The sabre slash yet gives me pain
    My one true love awaits me still
    The flower of the Aquitaine    (CH)

I pray for her who prays for me
A safe return to ma belle France
We prayed this war would end all wars
In war we know there's no romance
    And I pray our child will never see
    A little corporal again
    Point towards a foreign shore
    And captivate the hearts of men    (CH)


Cheers,
Michael