Santiano
Kids United Nouvelle Génération Lyrics
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Hissez haut Santiano
18 nœuds, 400 tonneaux
Je suis fier d'y être matelot
Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent
Hissez haut Santiano
Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant
Je pars pour de longs mois en laissant Margot
Hissez haut Santiano
D'y penser, j'avais le cœur gros
En doublant les feux de Saint-Malo
Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent
Hissez haut Santiano
Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant
Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco
On prétend que là-bas l'argent coule à flots
Hissez haut Santiano
On trouve l'or au fond des ruisseaux
J'en ramènerai plusieurs lingots
Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent
Hissez haut Santiano
Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant
Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco
Un jour, je reviendrai chargé de cadeaux
Hissez haut Santiano
Au pays, j'irai voir Margot
À son doigt, je passerai l'anneau
Tiens bon le cap et tiens bon le flot
Hissez haut Santiano
Sur la mer qui fait le gros dos
Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco
The lyrics to Kids United Nouvelle Génération's song Santiano depict the journey of a sailor aboard a three-masted ship named Santiano. The ship is described as being elegant like a bird with the ability to move at a speed of 18 knots and carrying a weight of 400 tons. The sailor expresses his pride in being part of the ship's crew and emphasizes his determination to navigate through any obstacles to reach his destination. The chorus, "Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent, Hissez haut Santiano, Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant, Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco" is repeated throughout the song, which translates to "Hold tight the waves and hold tight the wind, Raise high Santiano, If God wills, always straight ahead, We will go as far as San Francisco".
The sailor reveals that he is leaving his significant other, Margot, behind for a long period, and his heart is heavy with the thought of it. However, his desire to accomplish his goal with Santiano keeps him motivated. He believes that in San Francisco, money flows like a river, and gold is found in streams, and he promises to bring back several nuggets of gold. Finally, the sailor promises to return to his home country with gifts for Margot and proposes to her.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est un fameux trois-mâts fin comme un oiseau
Describing the ship Santiano as a magnificent three-masted vessel that sails smoothly like a bird.
Hissez haut Santiano
Hoist the sails of the ship Santiano to set off to sea.
18 nœuds, 400 tonneaux
Providing the technical specifications of the Santiano; it can reach a top speed of 18 knots and has a weight capacity of 400 tons.
Je suis fier d'y être matelot
Expressing pride in being a sailor on the Santiano.
Tiens bon la vague et tiens bon le vent
Encouraging perseverance in the face of adversity at sea by holding strong against waves and wind.
Si Dieu veut, toujours droit devant
Expressing faith that, if it is God's will, the ship will continue sailing straight ahead.
Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco
Setting the destination of the journey as San Francisco, with determination to reach the city.
Je pars pour de longs mois en laissant Margot
Explaining that, though it is with a heavy heart, the singer must leave behind his loved one, Margot, for many months.
D'y penser, j'avais le cœur gros
Reflecting on the sadness of leaving Margot behind, with a heavy heart.
En doublant les feux de Saint-Malo
Describing the time of departure, the Santiano leaves Saint-Malo's harbor, passing by the city's lighthouse on its way out to sea.
On prétend que là-bas l'argent coule à flots
Reporting a rumor that money flows freely in San Francisco, encouraging the sailors to carry on.
On trouve l'or au fond des ruisseaux
Adding to the rumor mill; gold can supposedly be found in the creeks and rivers of San Francisco.
J'en ramènerai plusieurs lingots
Building anticipation to return home rich with gold, planning to bring back several gold bars.
Un jour, je reviendrai chargé de cadeaux
In the future, the singer will return home with many gifts for his loved ones from the wealth earned in San Francisco.
Au pays, j'irai voir Margot
Upon returning to his homeland, the singer will visit Margot.
À son doigt, je passerai l'anneau
Expressing the intention of proposing to Margot upon his return home.
Tiens bon le cap et tiens bon le flot
Reiterating the importance of persevering through the rough waters and staying on course towards San Francisco.
Sur la mer qui fait le gros dos
Describing the rough sea, with waves like a large animal's back, that the Santiano must sail through on its journey.
Nous irons jusqu'à San Francisco
Repeating the determination to reach San Francisco as the final destination.
Writer(s): Jacques Plante, David Louis Fisher
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.