The Captain’s Daughters

Inspired by his experiences sailing with The Captain’s Daughters Andy has written a modern adaption to Sea Fever:

Sea Fever (2008-style)

I must go down to the seas again, on a sigma thirty-eight,
And all I ask is a GPS and a helm that can steer straight,
And the deck’s leak and the head’s pong and the host of muscles aching,
And a green look on the crew’s face, and a rig that won’t stop breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the vhf
Is a quiet call and a muffled call that was never at its best,
And all I ask is a windless day with the white sails dying,
And a strong tide and a rocky coast and a depth sounder that’s lying.

I must go down to the pubs again, to the sailors’ party life,
To the drinkers’ way and the dancers’ way where the land’s full of lovers’ strife,
And all I ask is another rum from a Captains Daughters rover,
And a long sleep, and a funny dream, in the hope that its not over.

John Masefield on the addiction to blue:

“Sea-Fever”

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.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).