Seaman's Farewell

Adieu, my love, you do not want me -

I was too low for you.

One day you will wander by moonlight

and hear sweet sounds:

a mermaid is singing, the night is mild,

the quiet clouds are drifting;

you will think of me. It is my wife,

so go find yourself someone else!

Adieu, soldiers and musketeers!

we ride a wild horse

that rears up and almost flips over

before many a rocky castle.

The merman in the lightning flash

surfaces in dark nights,

the shark snaps and the seagulls cry:

this is a merry struggle!

Stretch out your lazy legs

on your bearskin at home,

Father God gazes out of his window

and sends his Deluge again!

Fieldmarshals, cavalrymen and musketeers,

all must drown,

while with a fresh wind

we will land in paradise.