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 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 sea-gulls 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

                                         
              John Masefield