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 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 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 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.