Jonathan Young
Barrett’s Privateers
[Verse 1: Jonathan Young]
Oh, the year was 1778
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
Oh, a letter of marque came from the king
To the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen
[Refrain: Jonathan Young]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Jonathan Young]
I was told we'd sail the seas
For American gold
We'd fire no gun
Shed no tears
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers
[Verse 2: Annapantsu]
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 crеw
[Refrain: Annapantsu]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Annapantsu]
I was told we'd sail the sеas
For American gold
We'd fire no guns
Shed no tears
Well I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers
[Verse 3: RichaadEB]
And 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
The cook in the scuppers with the shakes and the jags
[Refrain: RichaadEB]
God damn them all
[Chorus: RichaadEB]
I was told we'd sail the seas
For American gold
We'd fire no guns
Shed no tears
But I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers
[Verse 4: Caleb Hyles]
On the king's birthday we put to sail
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
We were ninety-one days from Montego bay
We were pumping like madmen all the way
[Refrain: Caleb Hyles]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Caleb Hyles]
I was told we'd cruise the seas
For American gold
We'd fire no guns
Shed no tears
But I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers
[Verse 5: Colm R. McGuinness]
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
[Refrain: Colm R. McGuinness]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Colm R. McGuinness]
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
[Verse 6: Peyton Parrish]
That Yankee, she lay low with gold
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
She was broad and fat and loose in the stays
But to catch her took us three whole days
[Refrain: Peyton Parrish]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Peyton Parrish]
I was told we'd sail the seas
For American gold
We'd fire no guns
Shed no tears
But I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge: Jonathan Young]
Oh, the Antelope shook and she pitched on her side
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
Oh, Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the main shot carried off both me legs
[Refrain: Jonathan Young]
God damn them all
[Chorus: Jonathan Young]
I was told we'd cruise the seas
For American gold
We'd fire no gun
Shed no tears
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's privateers