Barrett's Privateers

Often mistaken as a traditional song with a long history, this Stan Rogers original was written in 1976. It has been covered by countless folk artists. The tune is viewed as an unofficial anthem for the East Coast of Canada, where it can be found sung in pubs and university bars.

Rogers wrote the song after spending a weekend with Canadian folk band Friends of Fiddler's Green. He later commented, "they all knew the songs, and they could sing the leads in 'em. Well, I wanted a shanty that I could sing the lead in, instead of just hanging back and singing harmony on the chorus. I wanted to lead one, so I had to write it."

The song is set at the height of the American revolution, with the ship and its crew acting as privateers for the British crown against the Americans. The character of Elcid Barrett and the Antelope ship are fictional, but many other details mentioned are accurate to 18th century privateering.

The Longest Johns released a YouTube video of their version of the song on 9 August 2023, and it was later included on Caught in the Net Vol 1, released 18 October 2024.

Factoids

A letter of marque was a license allowing private individuals (known as privateers) to capture enemy merchant vessels and other acts that would otherwise be labeled "piracy".

A list to port means the ship was tilting, sitting lower in the water on the port (left) side, either due to leakage or uneven ballast distribution — both signs of a poorly managed ship.

A scupper is a drainage hole in the side of a ship to carry water off the deck and back into the sea. The cook being "in the scuppers" would be similar to someone "lying in the gutter" on land.

Staggers and jags is slang for delirium tremens, a condition caused by severe alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms include confusion, tremors, loss of balance and motor skills, and horrifying hallucinations, sometimes progressing to seizures and death.

Four-pounders were small cannons, often favored on privateer ships for their light weight, but with limited range.

A ship being loose in stays meant it was slow and lumbering — i.e. one that ought to be an easy target for a privateer ship.

The reference to Sherbrooke is anachronistic, since the town of Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia (Rogers' most likely referent) wasn't founded until 1805.

Many consider it traditional to sing the the refrain "How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now" in the style of Rogers, adding a "whoop" after "now".

Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns in their livestreams; their performance remains faithful to the Stan Rogers original.

Oh the year was seventeen-seventy-eight
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
When a letter of marque came from the King
To the scummiest vessel I've 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 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

{Chorus}

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

{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}

Recordings

Stream/Purchase

YouTube Videos

Gig Videos

Full Band Streams

Chill Streams

Welcome to Chilltown with Andy and JD (23 Mar 2020)

Gaming Streams