Les Trois Marins de Groix (The Three Sailors of Groix)

We are three sailors of Groix,
Repeat first line in each verse

We've joined the Saint Francois

With my tradi, tra, la, la!
With my tradi, tra, la, la!

We joined the Saint Francois,
Getting forty-five francs a month.

Getting forty-five francs a month,
And wine with every meal.

The captain blows his whistle,
"Stand by to clew up the t'gallants'l"

"Stand by to clew up the t'gallants'l,"
The footrope has parted.

The footrope has parted,
A sailor falls into the sea.

A sailor falls into the sea,
And the shallop is lowered.

The shallop is lowered,
But they only find his hat.

They only find his hat,
His pipe-guard, and his knife.

English translation
From Songs of the Sea by Stan Hugill (1977)