Corries - Barretts Privateers Lyrics
Well, the year was 1778How I wish I was in... now!When a letter of mark was sent by the kingTo the scummiest vessel I’ve ever seenGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s Privateers‘Twas then ‘Sid Barrett cried the townHow I wish I was in... now!For twenty man, all fisherman whoWould make for him the Antelope crewGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersNow, the Antelope’s sloop was a sickening sightI wish I was in... now!With a list to port and ‘er sails in ragsAnd the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jagsGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersOn the kings birthday we sailed awayI wish I was in... now!When a great big Yankee hovered in sightWith our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.God damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersThe Yankee lay low down with goldI wish I was in … now!She was low and fat and loose staysBut to catch her took the Antelope three whole daysGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersBut at length we stood two cables awayI wish I was in… now!Our cracked four-pounders made an awful dinBut with one fat ball the Yank’ stove us inGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersWell, the Antelope shook and fetched on our sideI wish I was in … now!Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggsAnd the main track took away both my legsGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersSo, here I lay on my twenty-fifth yearI wish I was in… now!Six years since we sailed awayBut I just made Halifax yesterdayGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierThe last of Barrett’s PrivateersGod damn them allI was told we’d sail the seasFor American goldWe’d fire no guns, she'd no tearsI’m a broken man on a Halifax pierSailed the seas for many a long yearYou’ll never find a better man far or nearI’m a last of Barrett’s Privateers
