| Die Hand am Ruder, auf seinem Schiff
| His hand on the rudder, on his ship
|
| Von rauer Fahrt gezeichnet, sein Angesicht
| Marked by a rough journey, his face
|
| Alle Welt hat er befahren
| He has traveled all over the world
|
| Für das Meer war er gebor’n
| He was born for the sea
|
| Seine Augen blickten furchtlos in den Sturm
| His eyes looked fearlessly into the storm
|
| Denn seine Heimat war die See
| For his homeland was the sea
|
| Seine Heimat war die See
| His home was the sea
|
| In der weiten Ferne unterm Licht der Sterne
| In the far distance under the light of the stars
|
| Sah man ihn auf der Brücke steh’n
| You saw him standing on the bridge
|
| Seine Heimat war die See
| His home was the sea
|
| Seine Heimat war die See
| His home was the sea
|
| In der weiten Ferne unterm Licht der Sterne
| In the far distance under the light of the stars
|
| Sah man ihn einsam untergeh’n
| If you saw him going down alone
|
| Er war unser Kapitän
| He was our captain
|
| (Strophe 2)
| (Verse 2)
|
| Vom Kap der Stürme bis Feuerland
| From the Cape of Storms to Tierra del Fuego
|
| Des Südens Sternenbilder war’n ihm bekannt
| The constellations of the south were known to him
|
| Dort wo keiner sonst gewesen
| Where no one else has been
|
| Dahin führte stets sein Kurs
| His course always led there
|
| Seinem Schiff hielt er die Treue bis zum Schluss
| He remained loyal to his ship to the end
|
| (Strophe 3)
| (Verse 3)
|
| Die Hand am Ruder, steht er noch heut
| He is still standing with his hand on the oar
|
| Den Blick nach vorn gerichtet, in Ewigkeit
| Looking ahead, forever
|
| Vom Gezeitenstrom geborgen
| Salvaged from the tide
|
| In die Tiefe heimgebracht
| Brought home deep
|
| Hält er einsam seine letzte Ankerwacht | Lonely he keeps his last anchor watch |