"Le déserteur" (The Deserter) is a famous anti-war song written by French singer Boris Vian and released on May 7, 1954 during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

It was first sung by Marcel Mouloudji, in 1954. Subsequently, it was forbidden by the French censor to be sold or broadcast until 1962. It was later translated into English, Italian (by Luigi Tenco, Ornella Vanoni and Ivano Fossati), Spanish, Swedish ("Jag står här på ett torg", Lars Forssell), Dutch ("De deserteur" by Peter Blanker), Catalan and Danish and then many other languages. In the United States, it was a major anti-war song by Joan Baez during the Vietnam War.

The song is in the form of a letter written to the French President by a man who states that he is going to refuse his call to arms and desert, and explains his reasons for doing so.

Originally, it is a poem whose first interpretation was issued in May 1954 by Mouloudji in version pacifist .

Except Mouloudji all artists being sought withdrew at its first edition. Mouloudji first asked Boris Vian to change some words , because he wanted a broader point. Thus, "Mr. President" is replaced by "gentlemen called great"; "My decision is made, I will desert" is replaced by "wars are stupid, the world has enough" etc.. In addition, Mouloudji not imagine a pacifist with a gun .

"He's embarrassed by this fall, by the man who is about to kill not to go to war. The end is contradictory. Overall, Boris and Mouloudji up the last quatrain: If you pursue me, Tell your gendarmes, that I would not have weapons, and they can take me . "

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Boris Vian published his song in 1954 at the end of the Indochina War (1946-1954), while the French-offensive against the face of the troops of General Vo Nguyen Giap led to the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu where 1500 soldiers French are killed. Mendes France must open negotiations leading to the Geneva Accords , signed 21 July 1954.'s Vietnam , the Laos and Cambodia became independent. Then in November 1954, the Saints red marks the beginning of the war in Algeria (1954-1962) .

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Paul Faber, Councillor of the Seine , was shocked by the radio airplay of the song, and asked it to be censored. In response, Boris Vian wrote a memorable letter that diffuse across as an open letter in the "Open Letter to Mr. Paul Faber" ; but broadcasting and the sale of the anti-militarist song were banned. The ban was lifted in 1962.

In the years 1965 - 1970 during the Vietnam War , the song was used for peace marches and performed by Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary . In 1991, she was also used during demonstrations against Western intervention in the Gulf War . Renaud adapted the song he published in " International Idiot "January 9, 1991. Accordingly, the pacifist song was inscribed on the list of proscription radios.