Barrett's Privateers

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