Sea Fever

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 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 go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
     Is a wild call and clear a 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 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.
 
by John Masefield