Sea Fever

Sea Fever

John Masefield

(1878-1967)

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sails shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea's face and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.