Barret's Privateers - Stan Rogers(capo 3)
1.
GDG
O the year was Seventeen Seventy-Eight,
GCGD
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now.
GDG
A letter of marque came from the king
GEmC
To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen.
Ref.
G
God damn them all,
GCGCGC
I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold.
GEmC
We'd fire no guns, shed no tears,
GCGEm
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier,
CDG
The last of Barrett's Privateers.
2.
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.
Ref.
3.
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 and jags.
Ref.
4.
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.
Ref.
5.
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.
Ref.
6.
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.
Ref.
7.
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.
Ref.
8.
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.
Ref.
9.
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.
Ref.
