Sea-fever by John Masefield

Preparing to teach a topic on “The Sea” I stumbled across this old familiar poem. The rhythm of it takes you straight out onto the waves. I can’t wait to see what my class of 7 year olds make of it. Living as we do so far from the sea makes it all the more enticing. Thinking about it, when did I last see the sea?

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 quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.