Shiver Me Timbers Shipmates If It Isn't - Sea Fever (Again)

Painting by Claude Monet

Shipmates, if I've posted this poem before I give you permission to whack me with a teak belaying pin; but in defence I think some things bear repeating.

Sea Fever

By John Masefield 

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 a quiet sleep and a sweet dream

 when the long trick's over.