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 sails 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 tideIs 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 vagrantgypsy life,To the gull's way and the whale's way,where the wind's like a whetted knife;And all Iask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-roverAnd a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the longtrip's over.
John Masefield