Sea-Fever
by John Masefield

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 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.

Find out a little bit more about

John Masefield

Poet Laureate 1930 - 67

How old was he when he wrote this poem?

What sort of jobs did he do America before he returned to England?

What do we mean by a 'Poet Laureate.'

Who is the 'Poet Laureate' at the moment.

There is a Children's Laureate. Can you find out who it is? Try a Google search. 'Children's Laureate'