2018.03.26.
The old hands
These lyrics are extremely redundant. Rather than copy-pasting the same lines over and over, I'd rather pack the actual story together.As in many folk songs, the chorus is mostly a rhythmic pattern (though it actually makes sense and is even rather amusing)
Title
'Les vieux de la vieille' is a fixed expression meaning 'the old hands'. It's just a pun on the chorus, with no relation to the actual story.
Chorus
Granny had noticed Gramps could no longer see a thing
yet Gramps was well aware Granny could not see a thing (x2)
Main story
My father had no daughter but me
One day he cast me off to sea.
The sailor who lead me there
fell in love with me
Each time he went:
'My little cutie, give me a kiss'
[I answered] 'Oh no, Mister, I wouldn't dare
for if my father knew about that
he would give me a good beating'
That's all folks
This translation does not claim to be of any particular value.
Glad if you liked it, sorry if you didn't.
You can reuse it as you please.
Glad if it's for knowledge or understanding, sorry if it's just for money or fame.