Barrett's Privateers | Pat Byrne

🎵 Barrett's Privateers | Pat Byrne 🎵 - Length: 0:4:29

Barrett's Privateers - Written by Stan Rogers Recorded Live March 16, 2024 Live from Norfolk Street is an on-going concert series recorded live at McGonigel's Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas. Our live-streamed concert series is listener supported. For access to our catalog of full length shows, extras, encores, and interviews, become a contributing member at: https://livefromnorfolkstreet.com/ Lyrics: Oh the year was seventeen-seventy-eight How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now! When 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 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 {Chorus} The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight (How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!) She'd a list to port and her sails in rags And a cook in the scuppers with staggers and jags {Chorus} On the King's birthday we put to sea (How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!) We were 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 bloody great 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 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 {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} So 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