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Archiver > LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS > 2003-11 > 1067756144
From: Amelia <>
Subject: Re: [LDR] Pirates of the Chesapeake: Arr-Arr, Avast Ye Swabs
Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 22:55:44 -0800
In-Reply-To: <001601c3a0c5$a801d640$c77f21a2@computer>
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~jacktar/barretts.html (Great link for a lot of
info and explanations)
"Barrett's Privateers"
by Stan Rogers
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
CHORUS:
God damn them all!
I was told, we'd cruise the seas for American gold
We'd fire no guns! Shed no tears!
But I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers
O, 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
The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight.
(How I wish I was in Sherbrooke Now!)
She'd a list to the port and her sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags
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
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 a our cracked four pounder we made to fight
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
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 Yankee stove us in
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
So here I am 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
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