Barrett's Privateers

Lyrics for 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'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 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 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 scuppers with the staggers and the 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 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 Now 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 the 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 "Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Heri Joensen." 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 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 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 6 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