"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 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 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 gipsy 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

The poem Sea Fever was written by John Masefield many years ago. 

Sir Francis Chichester thought so highly of this writing that he used it as the preface to his autobiography, The Lonely Sea and the Sky.  He says, “It gives in only twelve lines the key to my life-time search for romance and adventure.” 

Chichester’s autobiography was written and published over forty years ago; yet it continues to be one of the most popular books read by boating enthusiasts today.  Try it!