Lyrics and translation Johnny Horton - The Sinking of the Reuben James

The Sinking of the Reuben James

(Almanac Singers)
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James?
Have you heard of a ship they called that good Reuben James
Stand by, hard figting men fought for honor and fame
She flew the stars and stripes of the land of the free
But tonight she′s on her grave at the bottom of the sea.
(Now tell me) what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James?
--- Instrumental ---
It was there in the dark of that uncertain night
That we waited for your holds and waited for that fight
Then a whine and a rock and the great explosion roared
And they laid Good Reuben James on that cold ocean floor.
(Now tell me) what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James?
--- Instrumental ---
Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright
On the farms and the cities they're tellin′ of that fight
And now our mighty battle ship will sail the Bangor Maine
And remember the name of that Good Reauben James.
(Now tell me) what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James?
(Now tell me) what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the Good Reuben James?...

Le naufrage du Reuben James

(Almanac Singers)
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James ?
As-tu entendu parler d'un navire qu'ils appelaient ce bon Reuben James
Reste prêt, de courageux combattants se sont battus pour l'honneur et la gloire
Elle flottait les étoiles et les rayures du pays de la liberté
Mais ce soir, elle est sur sa tombe au fond de la mer.
(Dis-moi maintenant) comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James ?
--- Instrumental ---
C'était là dans l'obscurité de cette nuit incertaine
Que nous attendions tes cales et attendions ce combat
Puis un gémissement, un bruit sec et la grande explosion a grondé
Et ils ont déposé le bon Reuben James sur ce froid fond de l'océan.
(Dis-moi maintenant) comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James ?
--- Instrumental ---
Maintenant, ce soir, des lumières brillent dans notre pays
Dans les fermes et les villes, elles racontent ce combat
Et maintenant notre puissant cuirassé naviguera dans le Bangor Maine
Et se souviendra du nom de ce bon Reuben James.
(Dis-moi maintenant) comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James ?
(Dis-moi maintenant) comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James
Comment s'appelaient-ils, dis-moi quels étaient leurs noms
Avais-tu un ami sur le bon Reuben James ?