Allan Cunningham

Sea Song

A wet sheet and a flowing sea,
	A wind that follows fast,
And fills the white and rustling sail,
	And bends the gallant mast-
And bends the gallant mast, my boys,
	While, like the eagle free,
Away the good ship flies, and leaves
	Old England on the lee.

'O for a soft and gentle mind!'
	I heard a fair one cry;
But give to me the snoring breeze
	And white waves heaving high-
And white waves heaving high, my boys,
	The good ship tight and free;
The world of waters is our home,
	And merry men are we.

There's tempest in yon hornèd moon,
	And lightning in yon cloud;
And hark the music, mariners!
	The wind is piping loud-
The wind is piping loud, my boys,
	The lightning flashing free;
While the hollow oak our palace is,
	Our heritage the sea.