Sea Fever

I must go 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 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 gulls’ way and the whale’s way Where the winds are 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.

• John Masefield