La barca xica [English translation]

With a fisherman's wooden clog

I have built myself a tiny little boat.

With a pencil, I've made the main mast

And the sail is prettier

Than a handkerchief's trimming.

I've had the oars carved

From a lace-maker's bobbins

And, in order to be able to anchor it,

(I've got) a fish hook that isn't too heavy

Tied with some fishing line.

With a moth's wing

And a pine tree needle,

I make the tiller and the rudder

Just so if, in case the waters are rough,

It will not drift about at all.

The nets have been made by an elf

With a mosquito net;

Since I know of a place

For when I go out fishing,

Where there are only big-scale sand smelts.

My boat is like that:

As small as a breadcrumb!

And when it sails across the deep blue sea,

It will count on the moonlight

To light up its way...

And on the day I reach port

Loaded from prow to stern,

With billowing sails and rowing hard

The whole town shall gather 'round,

Announcing my good luck!

Everyone will say: "That's incredible! 1

There's no explanation for such a huge catch!

Three ounces of the best fish

With a boat as tiny

As a fisherman's wooden clog..."

1. Déu n'hi do is an extremely common expression in Catalan. It literally means "God gave it (all)", and it is a phrase used to express wonderment, admiration or disapproval at something that is great, unique, special, abnormal or awful. It should never be translated as "Oh my God!", as Catalan already uses the "Déu meu!" expression to express shock, exasperation or surprise.

• Artist:Nina (Spain)
• Album:A prop del mar (2011)