Barrett's Privateers

A music video for Stan Rogers' Barrett's Privateers

[@ejoelleduval]

The reason Stan Rogers wrote this song was so that he could sing the main part since whenever his friends would sing chanteys he always got stuck singing chorus. Or at least that is what the documentary claims...

[@neilwilson5785]

lol

[@hiimryan2388]

Musical problems require musical solutions *picture the guy with a wig

[@superniger4822]

Well he said it himself first hand in the documentary I think you’re talking about so yes that it correct.

[@robertmiller6467]

I always thought this was an 18th or 19th Century ballad. The gentleman had a marked sense of those times to compose the like in the midst of the 20th. Bully!

[@Donryall]

Stan Rogers sings folk like Iron Maiden sings metal, all epic tale that you have to listen to and finish.

[@theresafromthemiramichi4582]

OMG, I Lived in Halifax all my adult years....This song brings me right back to the pubs singing along, havin a pint, Good Times

[@Caperhere]

Theresa From the Miramichi O’Carolls

[@neilwilson5785]

I've been to Halifax in england. I had an average curry, and saw some grey buildings.

[@thatoneguy9994]

@@neilwilson5785 this is talking about Halifax Nova Scotia which is where I am

[@Ookami_17]

While sad Stan Rodgers had to die at only 34 I am glad he lived long enough to give us so many wonderful songs.

[@nuclearnihilist8842]

the best thing your hero can do for you is die before he lives to disappoint you

[@HandOfThemis]

That's really fucked up.

[@youngyoungmcgurn5088]

Nuclear Nihilist Well, he died running back into a burning building to save people, so he died a true hero at least.

[@tootiredforapropernamethef1073]

that is not true

[@youngyoungmcgurn5088]

Yeah, just found out he died in a fire on a plane. By all accounts, he was helping others escape, so he was still a hero

[@georgeofhamilton]

Guns: fired Tears: shed Man: broken Pier: Halifax Hotel: Trivago

[@Account1234_]

Underrated comment

[@oxybe]

at 0:31 it makes it pretty clear that Elcid Barret is the captain of the Antelope. the narrator is one of the poor sods who happened to be one of the 20-odd crewman suckered into the job by Barret's sweet promises.

[@anniesauvee4159]

I think the lyric is "Oh well said Barrett" cried the town

[@piper54alpha]

"A letter of Marque" gave Barret a commission to assemble a "Private ship under the flag of England" to capture or sink American merchant or military ships. Whatever they could take as salvage or plunder, was theirs to disperse any way Barret saw fit, without being against the law the sea. Privateers were NOT pirates, but mercenaries.

[@hiimryan2388]

@@Henry-W-Schlemmer *clapping

[@skiddadleskidoodle4585]

Privateers were basically pirates just with the crowns blessings.

[@pinchespiderman]

@DeadNinjutsu Please tell me you're quoting Howard and not de Camp or Jordan

[@pinchespiderman]

@DeadNinjutsu Gotcha. So at least not the bad options

[@enkiwarrior8792]

Mercs, pirates, pretty much the same.

[@reddwing4368]

Poor Stan Went out hard Didn t deserve it Hope your drunk in heaven buy Singing n playing all nite every nite and Guzzling screech Thanks

[@TripTropas]

i enjoy singing this shanty with some friends while we are relaxing. it is only fitting to sing shanties when you sail tall ships.

[@inusberard5848]

Before this the only shanty I ever knew was the one I learned from my grandfather. The Drunken Sailor

[@AugustMeteors]

"Well, antelope poop is a sickening sight How I wish I was in Sherbrook now. . . Be it round or flat or so loose it sprays, To make it takes the antelope two whole days. . ." --Stan, having some fun with his own song at The Folkway in NH. I have never forgotten seeing him there back in the 80s. What an awesome stage presence!

[@RobShelley84]

I'm from Newfoundland and just heard a band perform this song at Beertopia in downtown Hong Kong. It was unexpected and made me SUPER excited!

[@Monkismo]

First heard this sung in rounds in an Irish pub in Denver. Straight into my top 10 favorite songs of all time.

[@Serraphyst1]

"in the scuppers with the staggers and jags" = "in the drainage holes with the booze sweats"

[@timwells637]

the sailor that survives when he said that the mast carried away his legs does that mean his leg were cut off by the mast or was he paralyzed?

[@Serraphyst1]

@@timwells637 good question! the former is how i've always interpreted it, a mast falling on you seems like it would be heavy enough to do that, especially given how high they are, but now you've got me wondering.

[@AwesomeIan135]

Do you what “The Yankee lay low down with gold” means? It is not exactly modern English, so I can’t really tell. Although, I assume it means the ship didn’t have any gold/anything valuable, given that it is followed by the repetition of wishing to be in Sherbrooke instead.

[@timwells637]

@@AwesomeIan135 that means the vessel is almost overflowing with gold and other valuables other words it's a floating piggy bank

[@AwesomeIan135]

@@timwells637 oh, that is the complete opposite of what I thought lol.

[@jillbailey5133]

A great thing about this song is that it is done a capella (or however you spell that--no freaking guitar needed). You just teach your mates the chorus and you go wild. Always a crowd pleaser.

[@eddiebell9963]

A cappella; only missing the second P, so not a bad attempt at it… and you’re dead on: that chorus is darn easy to teach your mates, either sober or otherwise. 😉

[@kittycat5261]

We sing this at least once every time we go camping

[@pinchespiderman]

When your Letter of Marque is written on the back of an envelope from the King's wastebasket you should probably reconsider the cruise.

[@Lolman2171]

thumbs up for this amazing song in Due South, sung by Fraser (Paul Gross)

[@lordfexick649]

Can't help but find myself periodically wishing I could step into the shoes of a privateer or pirate in the 18th Century. Obviously not one of the ones in this song, but you get my point... Even if most didn't lead the longest of lives, I'm sure they saw more excitement in a few years than most people in the present day see in a lifetime.

[@KevinGulling]

+FXK Fexick There were actually few recorded pirate naval battles. It was most likely 3 years of mundane work and a couple days of excitement if any for the average privateer. Nonetheless, the Caribbean is one of the most fascinating theaters of war in history and I have been contemplating creating a VR pirate RPG for Oculus Rift. I don't know if there would be a demand for something like this though...

[@lordfexick649]

Kevin Gulling Perhaps. But by that logic, that's all most of our jobs today offer as well. But I digress. I'd probably still prefer it over the day-to-day of present times. I know there would be a high demand if you were able to execute it properly. Speaking solely on the perspective of sea battles, Assassin's Creed 4 had a pretty nice system. If you could take something like that, and maybe add a couple features, that would be something I know people would jump on. For example, an option to change what class of ship you control. And a choice to put to sea with a small fleet under your control. Me personally, I've always enjoyed games with a high degree of customization; something that makes you feel more attached to your character or units. So options for hull paint, weapon customization, flag design, things like that would really hook gamers like me. I don't make games, so I don't know how tall of an order this is. But still, food for thought.

[@KevinGulling]

These are great ideas! I will have to try Assassins Creed 4 now to check out the battle system. I like the idea of basing it on privateering rather than pirating as well to give it a new spin. Maybe there's someone out there who would donate a rendition of 'Berretts Privateers' (is this song in the public domain or something like that? I see so many renditions of it)

[@lordfexick649]

Kevin Gulling It would be worth looking into. And I agree that basing it on privateering would be better. It would allow players a sort of faction choice, getting to select which empire they sail for. Between the English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, etc., there should be no shortage. Maybe each allegiance can have certain perks based on what the empires of the age were known for.

[@FirstLast-kr3co]

+FXK Fexick = You might consider taking up sailing as a hobby if you don't already. Not a lot of swashbuckling, but you can still experience some real sailor-like action. Before there was virtual reality, there was ... well ... reality.

[@shawntulk84]

This goes well at every pub we sing it in

[@zacharisincennes8026]

It sounds like a sea shanty.

[@flizbarg]

The "Barrett" in question is the captain, Elcid Barrett, who obtained a Letter Of Marque from the king authorizing his privateer status, so he used the town crier ("cried the town") to persuade the locals to sign up for the adventure...

[@iamhydrogen4416]

That feel when no one in your country but you sings sea shanties like this masterpiece

[@brokengypsy]

Lovely. Thank you for posting this with the lyrics. I am trying to learn the song, and being able to hear and see it at the same time is wonderful!

[@Pakadeva]

Love this song so much :)

[@BenInSeattle]

I don't know if I should be disappointed or mortified that all these years I thought Stan Rogers was singing he wished he was in _Sherbet,_ now. I figured maybe it was where they invented the frozen dessert.

[@labrynianrebel]

I also heard "in Sherbertown"

[@curtisberard7831]

Lol makes me think of my sister and the Goldens Girls theme. The last line is "the card attached will say thank you for being a friend" She thought it said "the heart attsck will say thank you for being a friend."

[@GeorgeHarrysSon]

@ejoelleduvalle; Thank you for uploading this, and for taking the time to write down all the lyrics and get them in time with the music. It's been a favorite of mine for years. I'm positive that Barret is the captain because of the line "he cried the town" for sailors for this mission, though all he found were 'fishermen.' A bad idea, recruiting fishermen to be pirates (or "privateers," they call them here.) Barret would be the scoundrel who organized the voyage for the crown.

[@ariajade7852]

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now...

[@mhicnanolc]

With lyrics even! Thanks for posting... I'm a happy Maritimer!

[@seansky2721]

We need the karaoke version desperately. No one in Iowa but me knows Barrett's Privateers! Bloody awful that.

[@bobheiss6553]

Thanks for posting with the lyrics! Been trying to learn this the last couple of weeks and this is a great help. Great rendition with the backup singers/harmonies on chorus!

[@dabestew]

What I hear is... Oh Well said Barett @ 0:32 But I'm a broken man.... I'm not sure why I hear it different than the text.

[@Tryst46]

***** It was Elcid Barret for that was the name of the captain.

[@cabinfevrr]

right on brother man, we still sing this out at the top of our lungs drinking keith's and olands all gathered in the kitchen

[@WiredrawnMurder45]

i love this song,and im glad it wasn't lost with him in the fire.

[@smegheadwithaguitar1164]

Ubisoft should have put this into AC 4

[@inusberard5848]

Yeah, but since it's about shooting down American ships it might not have gone over as well.

[@TheNightWatcher1385]

Inus Berard Its about trying to take an American ship and failing miserably though. Lol

[@aidanwalsh8049]

It also wasn’t around during the time period Stan Rogers wrote it himself

[@appendixpower5538]

Well the song sings about the year 1778 and that game takes place in I believe 1714 soooo. ..yeah

[@josephwallace202]

The specific reference to Halifax might be jarring as well.

[@kathy5903]

Pound loudly on the table and bellow “Oh, the year was 1778”

[@kathy5903]

Anywhere in the Maritimes, especially Halifax NS. If they don’t sing back the next verse, leave.

[@With0utRemorse]

Awesome, I always wanted lyrics on this song.

[@samspade7907]

The name of the Ship is The Antelope. The name of the ship's captain is Elcid Barrett, so they are called Barrett's Privateers.

[@Vellietto]

ALESTORM !!

[@PatriotGuy23]

What is meant by, "we'd fire no guns, shed no tears"?

[@frankishe23]

Jimmy Jazz oftentimes when a privateer rolled up to a ship, the ship would just give them what they wanted, instead of potentially losing lives even in the best circumstances, or having their ship crippled out at sea, obviously it didn’t always work out that way but it was mostly to avoid the slaughter.

[@ardoporkkropodra2474]

music teaching history

[@sharonlewis4476]

Love it

[@Kardel_VA]

they are so formal and polite

[@Sawsquatch]

Haven't heard their cover. I'll have to check it out.

[@TheGuerrillaPoet]

It's because recruiters never tell the truth about conditions. They always gloss over the negative and exaggerate the positive. He's talking about what he was promised.

[@tankmilkman]

was looking for the song from Alestorm and found this.

[@chainmail904]

wow this is a really good cover

[@TheJoe3211]

I think it is pretty cool how this song is about a real ship, a real person and a real event

[@A-Disappointed-Horse]

TheJoe3211 It isn't. It's a fictional story.

[@TheJoe3211]

ever looked in a history book Sir Barrett captained a ship that was destroyed by an American war ship him and his crew tried to board

[@A-Disappointed-Horse]

TheJoe3211 Coincidence. It's inspired by privateering and sea life of the time, but no specific story.

[@TheJoe3211]

that is true but yet the song and story are fact based

[@Roebuck325]

A Disappointed Horse Your name is so ironic in this situation, but yeah this is totally based on fact. Sooo Idk what your argument is.

[@prescod]

They probably assumed that the Americans would just surrender without a fight similar to the way that a bank security guard will generally not shoot at armed robbers.

[@architek9000]

@ejoelleduval Elcid Barrett is the captain, the name of the ship is the Antelope. That's what I could glean from the lyrics.

[@WPUpioneer]

Does "the staggers and jags" mean that the cook is drunk?

[@themaritimeranger2889]

Mike Hruby It's a term for alcohol delirium, so essentially yes.

[@ChicagoMel23]

Liked this in Due south.

[@theresafromthemiramichi4582]

oh i REMEMBER THAT EPISODE .....GREAT ONE

[@RisemboolRangers26]

teacher played this in geography its so awesome :D

[@tbsupratom7232]

When you thought your crew was just doing vaults but then they sink an innocent sloop and it gives you depression and all your friends got bored of Sea of Thieves so you’re alone

[@gerbilinatube]

@ejoelleduval yes...definately the capitain... "Elcid Barrett" is the captain of the antelope...

[@TheCrankyCow]

also: he also uses the pitched wrong (Pitch is a up or down motion along the boat length not a rolling one) and the united states had no gold ships,hell it did not have much of a navy in 1778 as it was around for three years at that point.

[@monkey9997891]

i'm actually pretty sure it's "but i'm a broken man on a hallifax pier" but i cant find any lyrics online that agree w/ me :(

[@mewtwaila]

The person singing says “but”, but the lyrics written in the screen says “Now” 🤔

[@gregrobsn]

The lyrics as written are correct. They are not being sung correctly. You can listen to Stan Rogers original recording if you have any questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4LFmWqLg6iNmsU

[@cheerydavie]

I've lived in Scotland and this song has been aung /recorded by such The Corries /the McCalmans/Tich Frier/and myself......... to mention a mere 4

[@Linemen4life58]

@spartan135791 the ship was called the Antelope

[@bigbirdwpg]

@AnyaJoan Close, Elcid means "all hail" or something like that, I think.

[@neurodiverseeducationanden1686]

its at this point i wish i could go to a traditional english pub by the sea, sit with a group of sailors and sing these while having some mead or beer before boarding a ship and sailing away. is it too much to ask?!

[@ejoelleduval]

@freakinannoying again I say, oh waaa! typo... get over it... As my first video it took me forever and a damn day to get it together and I am NOT messing with it. Deal

[@Quinterka]

There is a sherbrooke in the UK

[@MegaBuglady]

But this one is in Nova Scotia

[@DarkLink13245]

@ejoelleduval you are correct Barrett is the captain

[@OMGUWONT]

Nah man, he is, you got it right.

[@joshskaarup9102]

It's right in the first fucking verse, man. Elcid Barrett, Captain of the sloop Antelope.

[@Spyderblade001]

@ejoelleduval That's what I've always thought too.

[@DarkLink13245]

@spartan135791 the antelope is the name of the ship and barett is the captain

[@giggsyla]

@spartan135791 barret is the captain hence the name of the song

[@Rikki0]

Let's make it easy. Now leave out the part "how I wish I was in Sherbrook now" and it reads like this. Oh Elcid Barret cried the town (called out to the town) For twenty brave men, all fishermen, who would make for him (sign on to become) the Antelope's crew. Heh, hope that helps.

[@jonathanshields7414]

Heh. Thanks.

[@Justmynewaccount]

If only there had been more Canucks.. ;)

[@inusberard5848]

There may have been, at the time Canada was a British territory under rule of the British crown. Realistically Canada the nation didn't exist until July 1st of 1867.

[@theresafromthemiramichi4582]

YES IF ONLY :)

[@craigwg]

It sounds like Mickey Mouse made it to the crew of the Antelope. Work is hard in these economic times.

[@ToasterFrog-dv6wk]

That gives me an idea: Oh, the year was twenty twenty-one How I wish I was back home right now Two hundred grand my folks had paid For film school out in north L.A. God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I beg for change out by Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers Oh, Mickey Mouse, he owned L.A. How I wish I was back home right now My career had found it’s start at last When in his live show I was cast God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I scrounge for scraps up on Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers Oh, Disneyland Park was a troubling sight How I wish I was back home right now There were almost as many staff as guests And the theater was rank with all their mess God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I make my bed under Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers The very next day we began to rehearse How I wish I was back home right now For a hundred eight days, we were up on stage And paid one tenth of minimum wage God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I dine with crabs out by Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers On day one ten we opened our show How I wish I was back home right now There a wealthy gay man gazed my way And I knew just then what he’d do and say God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I ramble on down at Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers That gay man made his way to the stage How I wish I was back home right now He loudly asked me for a date To which I said ‘Sir, I am straight’ God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I’m friends with gulls up on Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers The wealthy gay man started to wail How I wish I was back home right now He said ‘you’re oppressing me cause I’m queer’ And the audience started to curse and jeer God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I leave my scat under Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers The audience rose and climbed on stage How I wish I was back home right now Someone tore off Mickey’s head And the next day I woke up in the ER bed God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I’m bound like flotsam to Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers Now here I am in my twenty-sixth year How I wish I was back home right now My dreams are dead and my money is gone And I keep on asking where’d I go wrong God damn them all, I was told We’d set the stage for Hollywood gold We’d make them laugh, forget their fears And now I sing sad songs out by Monica’s Peer The last of Mickey’s Mouseketeers

[@craigwg]

This is amazing! Nicely done

[@ToasterFrog-dv6wk]

@@craigwg Thanks

[@MrMarkv123]

yeah

[@silverscalederg8632]

Canada's national anthem

[@inusberard3112]

Nah if you want a Canadian anthem look up the war of 1812 song

[@litpotat5601]

Bro I wish it was but nah we got some goofy shit about respecting the military smh it's not like they risked their lives or anything

[@litpotat5601]

@@inusberard3112 bro imagine that was our anthem lmao

[@curtisberard7831]

@@litpotat5601 "...and the White House burned, burned, BURNED!"

[@ooogmorg]

yes, Elcid Barret is the captain of the antelope

[@MrArcher362]

the captain is Elcid Barrett. you can quote him now

[@bigblockman11]

I got here because of a hand made silver commercial

[@gark64]

@spartan135791 Barrett was the Captain.

[@thebullfrog9416]

Basically summed up in one sentence fight the Yankees they said it would be easy they said

[@stikfigz]

@ejoelleduval yes

[@GorillaMime]

This may be blasphemous but I actually enjoy this version, the Irish Descendant's, and Alestorm's versions of this song.

[@Sawsquatch]

That's because it's the original performer.

[@rickrollington124]

i would think it means they didnt want to do any fighting?

[@donaldtrump5410]

Isn’t Halifax like really inland?

[@MajicLaMa]

80,000 viewer exactly.

[@K3rm1t_Th3_80ng]

@spartan135791 Elcid Barrett is the captain

[@glich86]

@spartan135791 Barrett was the captain and paid for the crew

[@MRMcLobster]

hey internet, is barrett the Captain?

[@aarongale6906]

Whats also peculiar is that Elcid Barret was never real, nor was the Antelope Sloop (in this instance anyways)

[@anonymous3277]

Elcid Barret was the captain and crier.

[@jillbailey5133]

PS--I'm not really Jill Bailey--that's my sweetie :)

[@squires9373]

Due South, anyone?

[@TheZombieman87]

Whats is peculiar about this song is that Sherbrooke did not exist in 1778. it was settled in 1793.

[@CaraJJC]

@spartan135791 0:58 Antelope.

[@zigzag4d9]

it wasnt meant to be factual some of the facts and language is peroid correct but the song itself is not meant for factual reference it was more for entertainment ever think of that

[@SpiketheDesertDog]

Elcid Barret is the captain.

[@TedGodwin]

Why do the lyrics have "Now I'm a broken man..." when he clearly sings, "But I'm a broken man..." ? I am sure I have seen this in other transcriptions as well, so not unusual, just incorrect IMO.

[@raylavallee69]

He was broken because the truck (mast) took off both his legs

[@iaramiller601]

Hi

[@bigpappycharlie521]

Where is sherbrooke

[@querps1043]

There's a few. It's most likely the one in Nova Scotia though.

[@dianeweiss4562]

How horribly ironic that the composer died in the USA in a fire in an aircraft.

[@NTye]

Alestorm do a good version of this...

[@matthewdunderdale8685]

I have to disagree... Prefer the original

[@ejoelleduval]

oh waaa! typo... get over it