It's a famous three-masted ship, sleek like a bird
Eighteen knots, four hundred tons
I'm proud to be a sailor on her
Hold the helm fast and hold the wind
God willing, always straight ahead
We'll sail all the way to San Francisco
I'm leaving for long months, leaving Margot
Thinking of it, my heart was heavy
As we pass the lights of Saint-Malo
They say money flows over there in torrents
You find gold at the bottom of the streams
I'll bring back several ingots
One day I'll return loaded with gifts
Home again I'll go see Margot
I'll slip a ring onto her finger
Hold the course steady and hold the swell
On the sea that's arching its broad back
We'll sail all the way to San Francisco
It's a famous three-masted ship, sleek like a bird
Eighteen knots, four hundred tons
I'm proud to be a sailor on her