Barretts Privateers lyrics

Oh, the year was 1778,
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
A letter of mark 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.
I’m a broken man on a Halifax Peer,
The last of Barrett’s Privateers.

Well, Elcid Barrett cried the town
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
For twenty brave men all fisherman who
Would make for him the `Antelope’s` crew

(REPEAT CHORUS)

The `Antelopes` sloop was a sickening sight
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
She had a list to the port and her sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags

(REPEAT CHORUS)

On the king’s birthday we put to sea
(`How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
It was ninety one days to Montigo Bay
Pumping like madmen all the way

(REPEAT CHORUS)

On the ninety sixth day we sailed again
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

the Yankee lay low down with gold
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
She was broad and fat and loose in stays
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Then at length we stood two cables away
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
Our cracked four-pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

(REPEAT CHORUS)

the Antelope shook and pitched on her side
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
Well Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the Maintruck carried off both me legs.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

So here I sit in my twenty-third year
( `How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!`)
It’s been six years since I sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday

(REPEAT CHORUS)
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