Barrett's Privateers

 

Words & Music:

Stan Rogers

 

This song is sung a capella, best with a group.  Lines are called solo with the group responding with the "How I wish I was in Sherbrooke, now!" line and also joining in on the chorus.  Stan Rogers was a wonderful folk singer in the New England/Canadian maritime tradition.  This song is a great example of the naval work song and shows how interesting rhythm and story was in the old English/American/Canadian song traditions.

 

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.

 

CHORUS:

God damn them all.

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.

 

O, 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 list to the port and her sails in rags.

And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers & jags.

 

CHORUS:

 

On the King's birthday we put to sea.

[How I wish I was in Sherbrooke, now!]

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 great big 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 she stood two cables away.

[How I wish I was in Sherbrooke, now!]

Our cracked four-pounders made awful din.

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:

 

Now, here I lay in my 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: