Barretts Privateers Lyrics - Singles - Rogers Stan

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 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 and her sails in rags, 

And the cook in 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 -- 

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 ninety-one 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 ninety-sixth 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 truck 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 twenty-third 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 -- 

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier 

The last of Barrett's Privateers