Sea Fever: I Must Go Down to the Seas Again

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

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

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking

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

I must 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 seagulls crying

I must 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