Thanks Robyn. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your words

The version given by George Henderson is to all intents and purposes identical to the one that I knew. It must have a completely different tune to yours as the words flow beautifully to the tune that I use.

It is interesting that I know the song as The Letter although the French origional from which it came was The Deserter. Perhaps the translator felt that with an english speaking audience the new title would make the song's message more effective.