How small the Captain Torres, how high the sea
Gale ten, engines failing, no quarter, no lee
They know when the wrong wave hits them, perdu, they're gone
They've played their share of poker, they know odds are long
La mer ne pardonne pas
Time yet for consolation, each makes one call
Signals came ship to shore, words plucked from the squall
His heart a deep deep ocean, his voice so small
So faint through all the static, five words, that's all
La mer ne pardonne pas
Do I count myself lucky, I was home the phone was ringing
What of others' wives who missed it, came home to red lights blinking?
How strange this world of wonder, ships sailing, planes flying,
Sound sent at speed of light, phone calls from young men dying
These walls bought and paid for by labour on board
Gone months to clothe and feed us, gone now forever more
La mer ne pardonne pas