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 wheels kick and the winds song and the white sails 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 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