Motley Words

Oh, the year was 1778,
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
A letter of marque came from the king,
To the scummiest vessel I’d ever seen,
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.

On the King’s birthday we put to sea,
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
We were 91 days to Montego Bay
Pumping like madmen all the way
God damn them all…

The Yankee lay low down with gold,
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
She was broad and fat and loose in the stays
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days
God damn them all……………..

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
God damn them all……….

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 Maintruck carried off both me legs
God damn them all……..

So here I lay in my 23rd year,
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
It’s been 6 years since we sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday
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.