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