Tri Martolod
Argantael Lyrics

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Tri martolod yaouank... la la la...
Tri martolod yaouank i vonet da veajiñ (bis)

E vonet da veajiñ, gê!
E vonet da veajiñ (bis)

Gant 'n avel bet kaset... la la la...
Gant 'n avel bet kaset beteg an Douar Nevez (bis)

Beteg an Douar Nevez, gê!
Beteg an Douar Nevez (bis)

E-kichen mein ar veilh... la la la...
E-kichen mein ar veilh o deus mouilhet o eorioù (bis)

O deus mouilhet o eorioù, gê!
O deus mouilhet o eorioù (bis)

Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se... la la la...
Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se e oa ur servijourez (bis)

Pelec'h hor graet konesañs, gê!
Pelec'h hor graet konesañs (bis)

En Naoned er marc'had... la la la...
En Naoned er marc'had on-oa choajet ur walenn (bis)

Overall Meaning

The song Tri Martolod is a traditional Breton song that tells the story of three young sailors who set out on a journey together. The first verse talks about the three young sailors who are leaving for a journey. They are excited and ready to travel. The second verse talks about the wind that blows them towards a new land, the Douar Nevez. This land is unknown to them, and they are eager to explore it.

The third verse talks about the sailors' experiences on their journey. They have to work hard, and they are tired, but they keep going. The verse also indicates that one of them is a servant. The last verse talks about their meetings in the marketplace in Nantes. They have chosen a mare, likely to sell or use it on their journey.

The song is a classic Breton folk song and has various interpretations. Some believe it to be a love song, while others consider it to be a song about sailors' lives during the 18th century. The lyrics are in the Breton language, which is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany, France. The song's melody is inspired by traditional Breton melodies and has a catchy tune.

Line by Line Meaning

Tri martolod yaouank... la la la...
Three young sailors... la la la...

Tri martolod yaouank i vonet da veajiñ (bis)
Three young sailors went voyaging... (repeat)

E vonet da veajiñ, gê!
They went voyaging, yes!

Gant 'n avel bet kaset... la la la...
By the wind that was sent... la la la...

Gant 'n avel bet kaset beteg an Douar Nevez (bis)
By the wind that was sent as far as the New Land... (repeat)

Beteg an Douar Nevez, gê!
As far as the New Land, yes!

E-kichen mein ar veilh... la la la...
Alongside the horse's mane... la la la...

E-kichen mein ar veilh o deus mouilhet o eorioù (bis)
Alongside the horse's mane they have wetted their lips... (repeat)

O deus mouilhet o eorioù, gê!
They have wetted their lips, yes!

Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se... la la la...
And inside this horse... la la la...

Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se e oa ur servijourez (bis)
And inside this horse there was a serving maid... (repeat)