I must go down to the sea again
To the lonely sea and the sky
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 sea 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 sunny 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 sea 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 a quiet sleep
And a sweet dream
When the long trick is over
I must go down to the sea again
To the lonely sea and the sky
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