Well the year was 1778
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
When a Letter of Marquis sent fae the King
To the Scummiest vessel I'd ever seen
Chorus
God damn them all I was told,
we'd sail the seas for american gold.
We'd fire no shots and cry no tears.
I'm a broken man on the Halifax pier,
The last o' Barrett's Privateers.
Twas then Sid Barret Cried the town
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
For twenty men all fishermen true
would make for him the Antelope crew
Chorus
Now the Antelope sloop was a sickening sight
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
With a list to port and her sails in rags
And the Cook & the scutters with the staggers and jags
Chorus
On the Kings birthday we sailed away
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
When a great big Yankee hove in sight
We cracked four pounders without a fight
Chorus
The Yankee laid lowdown with gold
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
She was low and fat and loose in stay
But to catch her took the Antelope three whole days
Chorus
But at length we stood two cables away
How I wish I was in Edinburgh now
Our cracked four pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in
Chorus
Well the Antelope shook and pitched on her side
I wish I was in Edinburgh now
Barret was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the main track took away both my legs
Chorus
So here I lie in my 25th year
I wish I was in Edinburgh now
six years ago since We sailed away
But we just made Halifax yesterday
Chorus
I'm a broken man on Halifax peir
You'll never find a better man far or near
I'm the last of Barrets Privateers