Barrett's Privateers Lyrics

Well, the year was 1778
How I wish I was in... now!
When a letter of marque was sent by the king
To the scummiest vessel I’ve ever seenGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers‘Twas then ‘Sid Barrett cried the town
How I wish I was in... now!
For twenty man, all fisherman who
Would make for him the Antelope crewGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersNow, the Antelope’s sloop was a sickening sight
I wish I was in... now!

With a list to port and ‘er sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jagsGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersOn the kings birthday we sailed away
I wish I was in... now!
When a great big Yankee hovered in sight
With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersThe Yankee lay low down with gold
I wish I was in … now!
She was low and fat and loose stays
But to catch her took the Antelope three whole daysGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersBut at length we stood two cables away
I wish I was in… now!
Our cracked four-pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank’ stove us inGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersWell, the Antelope shook and fetched on our side
I wish I was in … now!
Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the main track took away both my legsGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersSo, here I lay on my twenty-fifth year
I wish I was in… now!
Six years since we sailed away
But I just made Halifax yesterdayGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s PrivateersGod damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she'd no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
Sailed the seas for many a long year
You’ll never find a better man far or near
I’m a last of Barrett’s Privateers