When the wind's blowing westwards, I'll pull up my sails
Goodbye red lights, but the waters they wail
My mistress the ocean, my mistress the sea
I hear her calling and breaking for me
I've sailed to Santa Marta and the San Fransisco Bay
Followed my faith and wandered astray
I saw people coming, and they saw me go
And what's coming next, well the devil may know
Take me back my Amsterdam harbour, when I have ceased to be
And with Grand Jacques I will sing forever, to the sailors lost at sea
Oh farewell my Rosita, found in every town I'm in
We shared our stories, fluids and sins
But we both know tomorrow, I'll be here no more
So kiss me goodbye before I leave the shore
Take me back my Amsterdam harbour, when I have ceased to be
And with Grand Jacques I will sing forever, to the sailors lost at sea
Amsterdam you're a bitch, built on rotting wooden poles
You sheltered sinners, bastards and whores
But your waters keep flowing, through your sewers and your heart
And out to the oceans on which I embark
Take me back my Amsterdam harbour, when I have ceased to be
And with Grand Jacques I will sing forever, to the sailors lost at sea
Take me back my Amsterdam harbour, when I have ceased to be
And with Jacques Brel I will sing forever, to the sailors lost at sea
When the winds blow to the East, I'll lower my sails
Homesick for you, famed in long-forgotten tales
My lover this city, my love I've come home
To sleep in your arms, no more will I roam