Joe Offer.
Joe, very broadly, but French poetic licence and colloquialisms must be taken into consideration.

Listen, you guys, to my story.
It happened in Liverpool.
It`s the story of a black able seaman,
Who idled too much with the hens.
One evening he had drunk his pay
On the strength of whisky and beer,
When he met Maggie May,
At "The Highlander" pub.
    CH:- Ten cents and a half is the pay for a black.
         The pay for a white is a dollar.

Like a beautiful frigate of the line,
But she didn`t have a shilling.
She made a sign to him,
To come over by her and drink a gin.
It is at "The Crow`s Nest" pub,
They are half-mast and veering the windlass,
It was one night for the old "Old Black Joe".
Like a strong tobacco that puts you on your back.
    CH:-

But early next morning she is gone,
Carrying away his last penny.
He nailed his togs(clobber) and sorrows,
To the new long term loan shop. (Pawnbroker?? But we have a French
                                  term for that.)
It was on a cold January morning,
He will think that he should embark.
Here he stows himself steering in respect.(having high regard?)
If it goes straight ahead to the maritime inscription.
   CH:-

Topmen from all countries,
Don`t believe the girls.
That you find in the bars and sailors pubs.
They are only robbing sluts found in chamber pots.
Hanging around with their own kind.

   Ch:-


There may be some English corrections but it gives you a broad idea of Michel Tonnerre`s song.

Regards,
John