In 889, Saracen pirates, with the blessing of the Umayyad government in Cordoba, seized a manor house on the coast of Provence. From this base, Fraxinet, they eventually extended control over wide areas of France, northern Italy, and Switzerland. In 931, Hugh of Arles, king of Italy, with a fleet of Byzantine warships sent by his brother-in-law, the emperor of Constantinople, defeated the Saracen fleet at the Gulf of St. Tropez and broke the defenses of Fraxinet in a coordinated land assault.
My father’s father Vikings slew when last they came ashore.
Row well, row hard! We’ll make the Saracen pay!
With axe and spear, with fire and sword to raid Provence once more.
Row well for St. Tropez!
My father fell with sword in hand ‘gainst Saracen steel and flame
Row well, row hard! We’ll make the Saracen pay!
Fair Fraxinet of peaceful vine a Saracen keep became.
Row well for St. Tropez!
Now Rahman’s horde with steel hold sway along the Cote d’Azur
Row well, row hard! We’ll make the Saracen pay!
From fair Marseilles to Alpine pass, along the sun kissed shore.
Row well for St. Tropez!
But now King Hugh a reckoning brings, Greek warships fully manned.
Row well, row hard! We’ll make the Saracen pay!
And armored men along the shore, invasion fully planned.
Row well for St. Tropez!
Greek fire and oil burn bright and red, dhows sink beneath the sea
Row well, row hard! We’ll make the Saracen pay!
With fire and sword we come once more to set our homeland free.
Row well for St. Tropez!