Barrett's Privateers Lyrics - Singles - Alestorm

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 to 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 and 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. 

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 trunk 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.