Anne (Marie-Anne) Dieu-le-Veut (1661–1710) was a French pirate and one of the few known female buccaneers of the Caribbean. After being widowed twice at an early age, she joined the famous privateer Laurens de Graaf, whom she married following an armed confrontation, and alongside whom she openly fought as a woman and shared command. As a fearless and uncompromising fighter, she was considered a good-luck charm by her crew and became known by the nickname “Dieu-le-Veut” (“God wills it”). 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ The English translation follows after the French song lyrics. [Couplet 1] Je suis née en Bretagne, au souffle des embruns, La mer m’appelait déjà, m’arrachant aux communs. Je suis partie pour Tortuga, vers un monde à voir, Pour épouser qui je voulais, je choisis mon pouvoir. [Pre-Chorus] Premier époux, Pierre Lelong, périt dans le combat, La mer me l’a volé, pourtant j’avançai pas à pas. Puis vint Joseph Chérel, hélas, lui aussi disparu, Deux enfants laissés derrière, mais jamais je ne fus abattue. [Chorus] Dieu le veut ! Oh, crie mon nom sur l’océan, Libre et farouche, pirate au cœur brûlant. Ni roi, ni loi, ni tempête ne saura me plier, Sur les vagues infinies, je trace mon destin entier. [instrumental interlude] [Couplet 2] Laurens de Graaf me défia, je levai ma pistole, fière, Il baissa son épée, surpris par mon caractère. Séduit par mon courage, il me demanda sa main, À ses côtés je combattais, sur le pont du destin. [Pre-Chorus] Je pris part aux pillages et aux combats sans peur, Partageant le commandement, fidèle à mon honneur. Pour l’équipage j’étais porte-bonheur, jamais un mauvais présage, Dieu le Veut ! disait-on, car la chance suivait mon courage. [Chorus] Dieu le veut ! Oh, crie mon nom sur l’océan, Libre et farouche, pirate au cœur brûlant. Ni roi, ni loi, ni tempête ne saura me plier, Sur les vagues infinies, je trace mon destin entier. [instrumental interlude] [Pont] Capturée par les Anglais, avec mes enfants enchaînés, Trois années de prison, mais mon esprit n’a jamais plié. Libérée enfin, retrouvant mon mari fidèle, Marie-Anne Dieu-le-Veut, sur les flots, toujours rebelle. [Chorus] Dieu le veut ! Oh, crie mon nom sur l’océan, Libre et farouche, pirate au cœur brûlant. Ni roi, ni loi, ni tempête ne saura me plier, Sur les vagues infinies, je trace mon destin entier. [instrumental outro] __________________________________________________________ ENGLISH [Verse 1] I was born in Brittany, in the breath of the sea spray, The sea was already calling me, tearing me away from ordinary lives. I left for Tortuga, toward a world to see, To marry whom I wished, I chose my power. [Pre-Chorus] My first husband, Pierre Lelong, perished in combat, The sea stole him from me, yet I moved forward step by step. Then came Joseph Chérel, alas, he too disappeared, Two children left behind, but never was I defeated. [Chorus] God wills it! Oh, cry my name on the ocean, Free and fierce, a pirate with a burning heart. Neither king, nor law, nor storm will know how to bend me, On the endless waves, I trace my entire destiny. [Verse 2] Laurens de Graaf challenged me, I raised my pistol, proud , He lowered his sword, surprised by my character. Charmed by my courage, he asked me for my hand, At his side I fought, on the deck of destiny. [Pre-Chorus] I took part in the plunders and the battles without fear, Sharing the command, faithful to my honor. For the crew I was a good-luck charm, never a bad omen, “God wills it!” they said, for luck followed my courage. [Chorus] God wills it! Oh, cry my name on the ocean, Free and fierce, a pirate with a burning heart. Neither king, nor law, nor storm will know how to bend me, On the endless waves, I trace my entire destiny. [Bridge] Captured by the English, with my children in chains, Three years of prison, but my spirit never bent. Finally freed, reuniting with my faithful husband, Marie-Anne Dieu-le-Veut, on the waves, always rebellious. [Chorus] God wills it! Oh, cry my name on the ocean, Free and fierce, a pirate with a burning heart. Neither king, nor law, nor storm will know how to bend me, On the endless waves, I trace my entire destiny.
