A popular song from 1923
Words by John Masefield
Music by John H. Densmore
The sheet music:
Lyrics
I must 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 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 down to the seas again
To the vagrant gypsy life
To the gull’s way and whale’s way
Where the wind’s like a whetted knife
And all I ask is a merry, merry yarn
From a laughing fellow rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream
When the long trick’s over