A Wet Sheet And A Flowing Sea

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 wind!” 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 flashes free,-- While the hollow oak our palace is, Our heritage the sea.

--ALLAN CUNNINGHAM.