Hugues Aufray machte 1961 den alten Shanty O Santianna (All on the Plains of Mexico) zu einem Hit in Frankreich. Er schrieb einen französischen Text zu der bekannten Musik und fertig war der Mega-Hit. Damit wurde Hugues Aufray über Nacht in Frankreich zum Star.
Die Hauptfigur zum Original ist General Antonio López de Santa Anna ( O Santianna), Held in dem Kampf Mexikos gegen die Eroberung Texas, Neu Mexikos und Kaliforniens durch die USA im Amerikanisch Mexikanischen Krieg von 1846 – 1848. Inspiriert durch den Goldrausch im 19. Jahrhundert in Kalifornien dient die Melodie von O Santianna einem Schiff aus Liverpool. Englischen Matrosen verklärten General Satan Anna zum Held. Das Ergebnis: Der Shanty „O Santianna“. Der deutsche Text: „O! Santianna kämpfte für den Ruhm, voran Santianna, und Santianna erwarb sich einen Ruf, über allen Ebenen von Mexiko!“
Der gesamte englische Text:
O! Santianna fought for fame! Away Santianna! And Santianna gained a name All on the plains of Mexico! Mexico, Mexico, Away Santianno! Mexico is a place I know! All on the plains of Mexico! O! Santianna had a wooden leg Heave away, Santianna! He used it for a cribbage peg All on the plains of Mexico!
Chorus: Heave her up, and away we'll go Heave away, Santianna! Heave her up, and away we'll go All on the plains of Mexico O! Santianna fought for his gold Heave away, Santianna!
The deeds he did have oft been told All on the plains of Mexico Chorus O! Santianna gain'd the day, Heave away, Santianna! He gain'd the day at Molly-Del-Rey*. All on the plains of Mexico
Chorus: He won the day at Molly-Del-Rey, Heave away, Santianna!
And General Taylor he ran away. All on the plains of Mexico Chorus O! Santianna fought for his life, Heave away, Santianna! He gained his way in the terrible strife. All on the plains of Mexico
Chorus: O! Santianna's men were brave, Heave away, Santianna! Many found a hero's grave. All on the plains of Mexico! O! Santianna's day is o'er, Heave away, Santianna!
Santianna will fight no more. All on the plains of Mexico! Chorus O! Santianna's day is gorn, Heave away, Santianna! We left him buried off Cape Horn. All on the plains of Mexico!
Chorus: We dug his grave with a golden spade, Heave away, Santianna! And marked the spot where he was laid. All on the plains of Mexico.
