Billy Budd, op. 50, Act 2: Claggart, John Claggart, beware! Songtext
von Benjamin Britten

John Claggart, John Claggart, beware, I′m not so easily deceived
The boy whom you would destroy, he is good
You are evil
You have reckoned without me
I've studied men and their ways
The mists are vanishing
And you shall fail
You shall fail
Shall fail
John Claggart, John Claggart, beware
Beware, I′m not so easily deceived
You wanted to see me?
I knew it
I knew it
I knew I'd be called
Captain of the mizzen, oh, the honor, and you telling me
I shouldn't speak so quick, but the talk′s gone too rough
Would you like to be captain of the mizzen Billy Budd?
Yes
Oh, to be your coxswain, I′d like that too


Why?
To be near you, I'd serve you well
Indeed, I would
You′d be safe with me
You could trust your boat to me
Couldn't find a better coxswain, that′s
To say I'll look after you my best
And this is the man you call your coxswain?
A skipper but a poor imitator of Billy Budd
This is a tempest in a storm
Claggart, John Claggart, beware
Let me be your coxswain
Let me be your coxswain
I′ll look after you
I'll look after you well
Claggart, John Claggart, beware
Let me be your coxswain
Let me be your coxswain
You can trust your boat to me
You'll be safe with me
You′ll be safe with me
Beware
Please, sir
You must forget all that for the present
I do not want to see you about promotion
That′s all right, sir
I'm content
Very well, but now listen to me, Budd
We want to question you, I and the master-at-arms
Yes, sir
Answer us frankly, and show all proper respect
Now stand to attention
Boy, admit Mr
Claggart