Barretts Privateers Song Lyrics

Barretts Privateers by The Corries

Well, the year was 1778
How I wish I was in… now!
When a letter of marque was sent by the king
To the scummiest vessel I’ve ever seen

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

‘Twas then ‘Sid Barrett cried the town
How I wish I was in… now!
For twenty man, all fisherman who
Would make for him the Antelope crew

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

Now, the Antelope’s sloop was a sickening sight
I wish I was in… now!
With a list to port and ‘er sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

On the kings birthday we sailed away
I wish I was in… now!
When a great big Yankee hovered in sight
With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

The Yankee lay low down with gold
I wish I was in … now!
She was low and fat and loose stays
But to catch her took the Antelope three whole days

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

But at length we stood two cables away
I wish I was in… 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 sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

Well, the Antelope shook and fetched on our side
I wish I was in … now!
Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the main track took away both my legs

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

So, here I lay on my twenty-fifth year
I wish I was in… now!
Six years since we sailed away
But I just made Halifax yesterday

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett’s Privateers

God damn them all
I was told we’d sail the seas
For American gold
We’d fire no guns, she’d no tears
I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
Sailed the seas for many a long year
You’ll never find a better man far or near
I’m a last of Barrett’s Privateers