sea fever

i must go down to the sea 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 go down to the sea again, for the call of the running tide
is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
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 go down to the sea 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 a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip's over.

by john masefield