Today is the anniversary of the wreck of the Whydah Gally

April 26, 1717

So today I lit a candle for the sailors, pirates, and prisoners who perished in the storm.

May they all rest in peace.

A tribute to the French Corsairs

OK, so I’m always the last to know about these things! But, here is a video that was done about 5 years ago that is a tribute to the French Corsairs of the age of sail. Not informative, but still interesting with some excellent photos. This is a departure from my topic of the Whydah, but I thought it might be a bit fun diversion.

The song in the background is called “Santiano” and was recorded by Hugues Aufray. I have included the lyrics in French and then in English (scroll down.) You can get the original French version of the song and an English language version (sung by The Highwaymen) on itunes.

Here is a link to the video from You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG9SQ_NyiVk

Dave Fisher / Jacques Plante / Hugues Aufray

1 C'est un fameux trois-mts, fin comme un oiseau,
Hisse et ho, Santiano
Dix-huits noeuds, quatre cents tonneaux,
Je suis fier d'y tre matelot.
Rtiens bon la barre et tiens bon le vent,
Hisse et ho, Santiano
Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant,
Nous irons jusqu' San Francisco.
2 Je pars pour de longs mois en laissant Margot
Hisse et ho, Santiano
D'y penser, j'avais le coeur gros
En doublant les feux de Saint Malo.
3 On prtend que l-bas, l'argent coule flots
Hisse et ho, Santiano
On trouve l'or au fond des ruisseaux,
J'en rapporterai plusieurs lingots.
4 Un jour je reviendrai, charg de cadeaux
Hisse et ho, Santiano
Au pays, j'irai voir Margot,
Son doigt, je passerai l'anneau.
R'Tiens bon la barre et tiens bon le vent,
Hisse et ho, Santiano
Sur la mer qui fait le gros dos
Nous irons jusqu' San Francisco

"Santiano" is a 1961 song, inspired by the popular song "Santianna", as it uses the same tune. However, it refers to a ship leaving Saint Malo bound to San Francisco, described as a wealthy place. The French-language version was popularized first in the 1960s by Hugues Aufray.

In the early 1960s, the song was recorded in French-language by artist Hugues Aufray. It is by far the most well-known shanty in France and was released in 1961. French lyrics were composed by the French writer Jacques Plante. The song was included on the singer's 2007 compilation Les 50 plus belles chansons.

Translation:

We're sailing 'cross the river from Liverpool
Heave aweigh, Santiano
'Round Cape Horn to Frisco Bay
Way out in Californ-i-o

So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave aweigh, Santiano
So, heave her up and away we'll go
Way out in Californ-i-o

There's plenty of gold, so I've been told
Heave aweigh, Santiano
There's plenty of gold, so I've been told
Way out in Californ-i-o

So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Heave her up and away we'll go
Way out in Californ-i-o

Well, back in the days of forty-nine
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Back in the days of the good old times
Way out in Californ-i-o

So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Heave her up and away we'll go
Way out in Californ-i-o

When I leave ship, I'll settle down
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Marry a girl named Sally Brown
Way out in Californi-i-o

So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Heave her up and away we'll go
Way out in Californ-i-o

Oh, and here is another translation of Santiano, which looks to be a bit more exact:

It is a fine three-master thin like a bird.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
Eighteen knots, four hundred barrels :
I am proud to be one of her seaman

Hold fast the helm and hold fast the wind.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
By God's will, always straight ahead,
We will sail until San Francisco
I'm going away for long months, leaving Margot.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
To think of it caused me sorrow
While crossing the fires of Saint-Malo
They say that over there money flows.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
You find gold down in the streams
I will bring back several ingots
One day, I'll return with my arms full of gifts.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
In the country, I'll visit Margot
At her finger, I will slip a ring
Hold fast the course and hold fast the waves
Heave-ho, Santiano !
On the sea arching it's back,
We will sail until San Francisco
It is a fine three-master thin like a bird.
Heave-ho, Santiano !
Eighteen knots, four hundred barrels :
I am proud to be one of her seaman