Oh, the year was 1778

(How I wish I was in sherbrooke now!)

A letter of marque came from the kingTo the scummiest vessel I′d ever seen

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

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

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

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 scuppers with the staggers and the jags

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Heri Joensen."

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

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

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 Maintruck carried off both me legs

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

So here I lay in my 23rd year

(How I wish I was in sherbrooke now!)

It′s been 6 years since we sailed away

And I just made Halifax yesterday

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