Le navire de Bayonne

It was on a Good Friday that we departed from Lisbon,

Bound to return to France aboard the great ship from Bayonne.

We had scarcely rounded the headlands

When a strong north wind arose.

We had to furl the mainsail

And steer her to the north-northwest.

We took a heavy sea,

And the deck of our ship could no longer withstand the pounding.

"Cut down the mainmast, I beg you,

Cut down the mainmast, I beg you.

And launch the lifeboats,

Let us save what remains of our sails,

So that they may carry us safely into port."

The pilot... etc.

This song recounts the dangers of winter navigation and the sailors' prayers for a safe return home. To reflect its atmosphere, I chose to preserve a minimalist harmonic language based on the Dorian mode. The rhythm evokes the ceaseless motion of the sea. Sea shanties are both numerous and deeply moving, and they can be found in the musical traditions of cultures all around the world.