"La Mer" / "Beyond the Sea" - Shannon eventually recognizes words written on Rousseau's map as lyrics from the song "Beyond the Sea", which she heard at the end of the French version of Finding Nemo while living in France with a former boyfriend. (WTCMB) These words enable Sayid and Shannon to decode clues on the map, which leads them to piece the three maps together like a puzzle, creating a triangle in the middle, which might just be the Black Rock. (Special)
The Finding Nemo version of "Beyond the Sea" was sung by Bobbie Williams. It is based on the 1960 version performed by Bobby Darren and written by Jack Lawrence. The original 1946 "La Mer" was written by Charles Trenet. It was something of a patriotic anthem in post-WWII France. History of the song can be found here: http://www.bobbydarin.com/OceanCrossing.html
It is likely that "La Mer" (the French version) is the song playing in Rousseau's music box, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Quote:
La mer
Qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
A des reflets d'argent
La mer
Des reflets changeants
Sous la pluie
The sea
which one sees dancing along the clear gulfs
to sparkles of silver. [Note: "reflets" also means "reflections"]
The sea
Of changing sparkles ["reflections"]
Under the rain.
La mer
Au ciel d'été confond
Ses blancs moutons
Avec les anges si purs
La mer bergère d'azur
Infinie
The sea
Confuses the summer sky's white sheep [meaning clouds]
With angels so pure.
The sea,
Shepherdess of blue infinity.
Voyez
Près des étangs
Ces grands roseaux mouillés
Voyez
Ces oiseaux blancs
Et ces maisons rouillées
Look!
Next to the ponds
Those tall wet reeds.
Look!
Those white birds
And those rusty houses [cabins of boats?]
La mer
Les a bercés
Le long des golfes clairs
Et d'une chanson d'amour
La mer
A bercé mon coeur pour la vie
The Sea
Has rocked them [like a baby]
Along the clear gulfs.
The Sea
Has rocked my heart for life.
(thanks to Andrea at the fuselage for the translation)
