Rame [English translation]

Paddle, (even though it’s) not funny

On that old Loire River

Paddle, (even though it’s) not funny

You won’t get anywhere

Heron (x2)

Watchman up there

Can you see, can you see somewhere else ?

Woodstick (x2)

Beautiful rubber

Float me (x2)

Further from home

Bathtub (x2)

You lied to me

Elsewhere, elsewhere, it’s all the same

[Chorus]

Row, row, rowers, do row

We won’t get anywhere with that canoe

Up there, they’ll just take you for a ride1

You’ll never be able to leave everything behind nor to get away

Shut up and row!

I’m leaving (x2)

But the waters are lazy

Chaumont,

Langeais,

Barely (made it to) Amboise2

Love, rope, string tied tight

Let me go, let me go, I want to leave

[Chorus] (ad lib)

1. Litt. "to take (smeone) on a boat trip", I.e. to swindle someone, to give someone false hopes.2. Chaumont-sur-Loire, Langeais and Amboise are three towns on the banks of the Loire River, close to where Alain Souchon lives. All three towns are tourist spots with famous castles.