When I encounter a block while writing verse,
When I’m not satisfied with form or rhyme,
I sing about sea vessels to my friends,
While clenching hard the neck of my guitar.

But in spite of all my errands on dry land,
And in spite of all my worries that I had,
Will you take me, sailors, to the open sea?
I will gladly stand all watches on your ship!

All kinds of creatures on the sea swim by,
Not many seek the ship propeller’s way.
But here, on land, each passerby will try
To step on you, and then will run away.

But in spite of all my errands on dry land,
And in spite of all my worries that I had,
Will you take me, sailors, to the open sea?
I will gladly stand all watches on your ship!

You know this well: three whales don’t hold the world,
And we have learned: it shared by more than three.
You can’t act free in other people’s ports,
And I’ve in ours forgotten being free.

So, in spite of all my errands on dry land,
And in spite of all my worries that I had,
Sailors, please, do send a launch boat to the shore,
Share with me a shot of vodka on the oar!