Discover the story of the song > Santiano – Hugues Aufray

- Santiano is a song by Hugues Aufray released in 1961.
- It is the French adaptation, by the lyricist Jacques Plante, of the sailor song Santianna (en) of English origin.
- The original version is a capstan song, a slow and energetic march. On the other hand, Hugues Aufray interprets Santiano on a faster and more cheerful rhythm.
- The original English song refers to the Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna (Santianna), whose first stanzas are :
- For Stan Hugill, The last working shantyman, the last naval singer in the British Navy, the origin of this song refers instead to St. Anne, patron saint of Brittany and Breton sailors.
- The English version is number 207 in the Roud Folk Song Index. It was sung by English sailors whose sympathies were with the Mexicans during the Mexican-American War.
- The American group Kingston Trio included a catchy version called Santy Anno on their first LP in 1958.
- The American version written by David Louis Fisher, known as Dave Fisher, of the American group The Highwaymen, released in 1960, was less successful.
- The French lyrics are by Jacques Plante and the music is by Hugues Aufray.