Barrett's Privateers

Oh, the year was 1778

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

A letter of marque came from the king

To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

Oh, Elcid Barrett cried the town

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

For 40 brave men, all fishermen

Who would make for him the Antelope's crew

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

She'd a list to the port and her sails in rags

And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

On the King's birthday, we put to sea

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

We were 91 days to Montego Bay

Pumping like madmen all the way

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

On the 96 day, we sailed again

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight

With our cracked four pounders, we made to fight

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's Privateers

And the Yankee lay-low down with gold

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

She was broad and fat, and loose in stays

But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

Then at length, we stood two cables away

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

Our cracked four pounders made an awful din

But with one fat ball, the Yank stove us in

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

The Antelope shook and pitched on her side

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs

And the main truck carried off both me legs

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers

So here I lay in my 23rd year

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

It's been six years since we sailed away

And I just made Halifax yesterday

God-damn them all, I was told

We'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's privateers