Barrett's Privateers - By 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've 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.

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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 the scuppers with the staggers and jags.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 carned off both me legs.

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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.

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