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 Barett's Privateers

Oh, Elcid Barrett, cried the town
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (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 (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now, whoop!)
She'd a list to the port and her sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with his staggers and jags

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

On the King's birthday we put to sea
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now, whoop!)
We were 91 days to Montego bay
Pumping like mad men all the way

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

On the 96th day we sailed again
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now, whoop!)
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked four pounders we made to fight

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

The Yankee lay low down with gold
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now, whoop!)
She was broad and fat and loose in stays
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

Then at length we stood two cables away
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now, whoop!)
Our cracked four pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

The Antelope shook and pitched on her side
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (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 (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)

So here I lay in my 23rd year
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now (how I wish I was in Sherbrooke now)
It's been six years since we sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday (woo!)

God damn them all (God damn them all)
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold (I was told we'd cruise the seas for American Gold)
We'd fire no guns (we'd fire no guns)
Shed no tears (shed no tears)
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier (now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier)
The last of Barrett's Privateers (the last of Barrett's Privateers)



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

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