Barretts Privateers Lyrics - Singles - The Corries

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, 

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 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 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 sand 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 

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