La mauvaise prière [English translation]

On a three-master of the Navy,

bristling with pride from bow to stern,

on a three-master of the Navy,

my beloved serves as a seaman.

Aboard the Saint-Michael-Archangel

he wears the seaman's outfit.

We traded each other's hearts,

so that mine now sails beside him.

He followed Mr de Joinville

in Cherbourg as he set sail.

He followed Mr. de Joinville

up to the shores of Tahiti.

Protect him, benevolent Virgin

from all the perils of the sea.

On your altar I've put three candles

upon the iron candlestick.

Protect him from the evil charms

of the women who dwell there.

Satan is their accomplice

and their kisses never fade.

They say they dance naked,

so told me our rector,

and sing songs alien to us

while weaving strings of flowers.

But rather than having him betray

my jealous heart, sweet Virgin,

and being unfaithful to me,

I beg you on both my knees,

rather than having him share

the bed of these mermaids of doom

and taste on their lips

the bitter salt of my sorrow,

I ask your divine hands to guide

the lightning at your command

and smite the Navy three-master

on which my sweetheart sails.

Lead her into the midst of storms,

smash her against the reefs,

bend under the yoke of tempests

the pride of her flattened masts.

Send the Saint-Michael-Archangel

and Joinville and all his sailors

to their doom, so that the sharks

may feast on these lying lips.