Words & Music 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
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier,
The last of Barrett's Privateers

Oh Alcide 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

[Chorus]

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
She'd list to the port and her sails in rags
And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags

[Chorus]

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

[Chorus]

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 our cracked four-pounders we made to fight

[Chorus]

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

[Chorus]

Then at length she stood two cables away
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
Our cracked four-pounders made awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

[Chorus]

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

[Chorus]

So here I lay 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

[Chorus]