I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, br And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, br And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, br And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. br br I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide br Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; br And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, br And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. br br I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, br To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; br And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, br And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.