I Must Go Down to the Seas Again

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inI'm Reading a Book, John Masefield, PoetryTags:, ,

Poetry gives substance to our experiences, as if to help us understand the import of a specific time and place.  Words assimilate with emotional responses to produce memories that can be recalled with a vibrant clarity.   Listening to poetry we relive the moment again.

My son and I walked along the sandy beaches of Wells-next-the-Sea.  One of the first poems that he recited as a young child was Sea Fever by John Masefield.  Come join our walk and listen to the words of poetry that merge with the sound of a brisk wind that buffeted the coastline.

If you miss a word now and then, read along with the wind.

Sea Fever
by John Masefield

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 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.

A very special thanks to our dear friends, the Fab Four of Cley, who welcomed us with warmth and kindness.

 

 

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

13 thoughts on “I Must Go Down to the Seas Again”

  1. oh how I love this post, Becky – Thomas really must do more readings!! Such a wonderful classic poem, in such atmospheric surroundings. sending love and hugs to you all 🙂

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    1. I loved how the wind muffled the words, a reminder that sailors are at the mercy of the winds. One of my favourite Vincent Van Gogh quotes is about the sea. “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” Many hugs coming back to you, my dear friend.

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    1. It was a privilege to have you join us! Did you know that this poem was quoted in the first Star Trek movie? “And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by…” Spock said to McCoy when he saw the “Enterprise.” I always think of the heroes journey when I read this poem. It serves as a reminder that everyday, no matter how ordinary it may seem, is an adventure.

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  4. I appreciate your love of poetry. In this you and your father have the same love, he appreciated poetry as well. It would seem this same love is passed down to Thomas. A good heritage, for sure. Great post. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. My father loved poetry. A wonderful legacy to leave for his children and grandchildren. William Wordsworth says it best: “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”

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    1. We visited the Fab Four at the end of May and had a wonderful time. It was all very serendipitous. We met a day before the Fab Four left north on the Highland Adventures and we headed west to Lindisfarne. A few days later we met up with Liz and Steve in Edinburgh. It is time to head to New Zealand….

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