Barrett's Privateers

Words & Music by Stan Rogers

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

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 Alcide 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 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 she stood two cables away How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now! Our cracked four-pounders made 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 main truck carried 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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