Barrett's Privateers
(Stan Rogers)

Oh, the year was 1778,

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!

A letter of marque come from the king,

To the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen,

Chorus

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 twenty brave men all fishermen who

would make for him the Antelope's crew

Chorus

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight,

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!

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

And the cook in scuppers with the staggers and thejags

Chorus

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

Chorus

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

Chorus

The Yankee lay low down with gold,

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!

She was broad and fat and loose in the stays

But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

Chorus

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

Chorus

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 Maintruck carried off both me legs

Chorus

So here I lay in my 23rd year,

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!

It's been 6 years since we sailed away

And I justmade Halifax yesterday

Chorus