Petit navire
Les Wriggles Lyrics

The song "Petit Navire" by Les Wriggles tells the story of a small boat that had never sailed before because it had just been built. It was located near Pearl Harbor and dreamed of embarking on its maiden voyage, but unfortunately, due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, it got hit by a barrage of shells, sunk and was unable to fulfill its dream. The boat sank and drank the sake brewed by the Japanese. The story is told through a playful and upbeat melody, which contrasts with the tragic event that the song describes.

The first verse sets up the story by introducing the singer, a little boat that has never sailed before. The second verse describes the boat's location and its aspiration to finally embark on its maiden voyage. However, the boat didn't have the opportunity to prove itself as it was bombed and sunk by the Japanese. The repetition of the phrase "les obus sont tombés en masse" (the shells fell en masse) emphasizes the scale and brutality of the attack, while the mention of sake shows the mocking irony of the Japanese in the face of this tragedy.

This song handles a dark topic using a lighthearted melody, making it feel like a children's song while also conveying a serious message. The juxtaposition of the two creates depth and impact, showing how music can change the tone of a message.