[Verse 1]
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!
God damn them all!

[Chorus]
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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

[Verse 2]
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!

[Verse 3]
The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
She'd list to the port with her sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags
God damn them all!
[Chorus]
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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

[Verse 4]
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!

[Verse 5]
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!

[Chorus]
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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers
[Verse 6]
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!

[Verse 7]
Then at length she 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!

[Chorus]
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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

[Verse 8]
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!
[Verse 9]
So here I lay in my twenty-third year
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
It's been six long years since we sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday!
God damn them all!

[Chorus]
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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

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 pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers

God damn them all!