Barret's Privateers

O, 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
 Goddamn 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 20 brave men, all fishermen
 Who would make for him the Antelope's crew
 Goddamn 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
 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
 Goddamn 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
 On the King's birthday, we put to sea
 How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
 We were 91 days to Montego Bay
 Pumping like madmen all the way
 Goddamn 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
 On the 96th 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
 Goddamn 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
 Now the Yankee lay low down 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 the Antelope two whole days
 Goddamn 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
 Then at length 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
 Goddamn 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
 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
 Goddamn 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
 So here I lay in my 23rd year
 How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
 It's been six years since we sailed away
 And I just made Halifax yesterday
 Goddamn 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