Barrett's Privateers (Album Version)

Oh, the year was 1778
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
A letter of mark came from the king
To the scummiest vessel I'd 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
I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

Well, Elcid Barrett cried the town
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
For 20 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
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 had 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
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
Pumpin' 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
I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

On the 96th 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
I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

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
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
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
Well, Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the maintruck 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
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
I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers



Credits
Writer(s): Stanley Rogers
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

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