Heh.
The late Stan Rogers was my favorite Canadian folksinger, I have used his music in more than one game, mostly Call of Ctulhu and Skull & Bones.
Barrett's Privateers
O 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've 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
2. 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
God damn them all . . . .
3. The Antelope sloop was a sickening site
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
God damn them all . . . .
4. On the King's birthday we put to sea
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
Ninety-one days to Montego Bay
Pumping like madmen all the way
God damn them all . . . .
5. On the ninety-sixth day we sailed again
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
When a great big Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight
God damn them all . . . .
6. 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
God damn them all . . . .
7. 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
God damn them all . . . .
8. 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
God damn them all . . . .
9. Now 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
God damn them all . . . .
Stan Rogers
A less serious version was named after Stan's brother Garnet Roger's home made beer...
GARNET'S HOME-MADE BEER
(Drinking Song)
Words: Ian Robb Tune: Barrett's Privateers, by Stan Rogers.
Oh, the year was nineteen seventy-eight
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
When a score of men was turned quite green
By the scummiest ale you've ever seen.
Chorus
God damn them all! I was told
This beer was worth its weight in gold
We'd feel no pain, shed no tears
But it's a foolish man who shows no fear
At a glass of Garnet's home-made beer.
Oh, Garnet Rogers cried the town
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
For twenty brave men, all masochists who
Would taste for him his home-made brew.
Chorus
This motley crew was a sickening sight
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
There was caveman Dave with his eyes in bags,
He'd a hard boiled liver and the staggers and jags.
Chorus
We hadn't been there but an hour or two
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
When a voice said, "Gimme some home-made brew!"
And Steeleye Stan hove into view.
Chorus
Now Steeleye Stan was a frightening man
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
He was eight foot tall and four foot wide
Said,"Pass that jug or I'll tan your hide!"
Chorus
Stan took one sip and pitched on his side
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
Old Garnet was smashed with a gutful of dregs
And his breath set fire to both my legs.
Chorus
So here I lie with my twenty-third beer
How I wish I'd never tried it now!
It's been ten years since I felt this way
On the night before my wedding day.
Chorus
The Auld Grump
