Loryn's Due South Shrine - Barrett's Privateers


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've ever seen

Chorus
Damn them all!
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

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

Chorus

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

Chorus

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

Chorus

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

Chorus
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

Chorus

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

Chorus

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

Chorus

So here I lay in me 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

Chorus

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