Song of the Coast, Poem by Charles Cros

Poem by Charles Cros Collection The Sandalwood CasketPeriod 19th century

Here comes the naval officer home,
He has black side-whiskers.
The sea wind has swollen his nostrils,
He tells how many ships he has taken.

Here comes the naval officer home,
He has two fine gold stripes.
He wants to surprise, at home, Mathurine
His wife, his most precious treasure.

Here comes the naval officer home,
He wants to see his house again,
His bacon drying and his sacks of flour,
His apple trees heavy with apples in abundance.

Sail off again quickly, naval officer,
Your apple trees have been cut down,
Your sacks emptied, your bacon fried. Mathurine
With landsmen has deceived you.

Sail off again quickly, naval officer,
For a very long voyage.
Your whiskers will be white, your nostrils
Will be wrinkled at the third stripe.

Charles Cros

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