A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea

A wet sheet and a flowing sea,⁠— A wind that follows fast, That 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. Oh, 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 flashing free; While the hollow oak our palace is, Our heritage the sea.