Oh, the year was 1778,

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

A letter of mark came from the King

To the scummiest vessel I'd 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.

I'm a broken man on a Halifax Peer,

The last of Barrett's Privateers.



Well, Elcid Barrett cried the town

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

For twenty brave men all fisherman who

Would make for him the "Antelope's" crew



(REPEAT CHORUS)



The "Antelopes" sloop was a sickening sight

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

She had a list to the port and her sails in rags

And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags



(REPEAT CHORUS)



On the king's birthday we put to sea

("How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

It was ninety one days to Montigo Bay

Pumping like madmen all the way



(REPEAT CHORUS)



On the ninety sixth day we sailed again

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight

With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.



(REPEAT CHORUS)



the Yankee lay low down with gold

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

She was broad and fat and loose in stays

But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days.



(REPEAT CHORUS)



Then at length we stood two cables away

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

Our cracked four-pounders made an awful din

But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in



(REPEAT CHORUS)



the Antelope shook and pitched on her side

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

Well Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs

And the Maintruck carried off both me legs.



(REPEAT CHORUS)



So here I lay in my twenty-third year

( "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now!")

It's been six years since I sailed away

And I just made Halifax yesterday



(REPEAT CHORUS)