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 a white sail shaking
And a grey mist on the seas 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 flung spray and blown spume and seagulls crying
I must go down to the seas again, to the roving gypsy life
To the gulls way and the whales way where the wind’s like a wetted knife
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing rover
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over