John Masefield "Sea Fever" famous poem READ BY THE POET HIMSELF ("I must down to the seas again...")

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.
John Masefield lived from 1878 to 1967.
He was English Poet Laureate from 1930-1967.
The poem "Sea-Fever" (with a hyphen) was published in 1902, so it is an early work of his.
Masefield published it originally with the title hyphenated, and the opening line of each stanza has these unidiomatic words: “I must down to the seas again…”
Notice that when it was first putlished, the words were not "go down”--instead, "I must down..."
British schoolchildren have memorized it, and the words "go down" became part of the reciting.
The poet recited it differently at different times (in fact he made a few recordings, and he was not consistent). One way to recite is to use the actual language or dialect common in the region where that part of the sea was--where he was inspired to write the poem.

[@vjsevans5758]

Like the others, I came to this in school, memorised it and it stayed. To hear it from the man himself, with that time capsule voice and simple clarity of delivery, reminds me of the power of words to create, if we let them. Thank you for sharing this.

[@terrycat7649]

I love you ❤️ thankyou ❤️

[@WindyNob]

Well, I guess this settles it. The author says, "I must go...", and who am I to argue. Still, "I must down", sounds to me like a total immersion in all that is misty and nautical, while I must go", sounds like a day trip. I wonder if some busy-body schoolmasters were behind the change. In any case, it's wonderful that we have this recording.

[@robbiewilliams2123]

I had to learn this poem for a school exam and never imagined ever hearing Mr Masefield read it himself.... His own rhythm and intonation take it to another level. I look out of my riverside window every morning and most evenings to the site of where his training ship the H.M.S. Conway was moored, I imagine him already formulating his wonderful poems and books as he worked onboard. Thank you so much for posting this recording. 👍😃

[@TimGreig]

Apparently, this was a common way to speak at the time because the engineers required that way. If you have a listen to a lot of parts of the time from Britain, they all sound the same.

[@bryanwiley1364]

Everyone's different, but the hubris, the youth, and the desperation of this simple poem makes me misty every time I hear it.

[@EcceHumanitatis]

My goodness, what a treasure this is. Thank you for posting.

[@Godewig]

Großartiges Gedicht! Doesn't smell like teen spirit.

[@samuelpierce8634]

HOW BEAUTIFUL! SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! I REMEMBER THIS POEM BEING READ IN MY 5TH GRADE CLASS! RIGHT HERE IN GIFFORD FLORIDA! HERE TODAY, THE AUTHOR CITES THE POEM HIMSELF! HEARING HIS VOICE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES--AND COMFORT! I CAN'T SAY, I KNOW WHY! BUT IT'S GOOD NEVERTHELESS! Y-E-A-H!

[@lindamortensen7835]

Did Mr Masefield approve of the musical arrangement by John Ireland? I learned this poem in fifth or sixth grade. I still love it. Thank you for sharing his words.

[@EcceHumanitatis]

I can't imagine he wouldn't have approved. That Ireland setting is just about as magnificent a setting as there ever was, don't you think?

[@maria617]

This poem has always confused me. Some renditions have “down” as a verb: I must down to the seas again… while others use down as an object: I must *go* down to the seas again. I confess I prefer the former, but what did Masefield intend. Here you conclude it was “must go down.” But in other anthologies and publications with Masefield’s name, it’s “I must down.” Wish a scholar could weigh in. It’s such a mystery.

[@user-qc2jy1wd6x]

it is the best experience to hear the poem from the poet himself because the creator knows his work the best and the emotions in his saying and the way he emphasizes the words is brilliant you hear the poem 2 - 3 times and you get the deepest meaning of the poem that the poet intended great work

[@DavidH-pg5qg]

Brilliant thank you for the post

[@elsjedevroye251]

The sea is coming to us ... lfoods ...

[@nsamanta2932]

Tanku

[@alexandermayakovsky6550]

Thanx, Ewe.

[@boxfox2945]

The farthest star, cast the longest noir. A glint' taking eternity. Fallen back' to souls' lost, and' deeply mared. Lighting the way beyond, off' a straighten path. The second to the right, and without fear. You some' day, must never' be in lack. See that morning glow. Onwards' let not' fear, ever have room' to show. For never, there be' your destination. As' it is where' to your heart, must never' forever go. Steering from memory, leaving dream's anchore, hauled' and weighed. Sailing towards something unknown. It's longing, always' driven forth. Into' and across, the darkened' waves. No one' need define, in of themselves. Was course set' and compass lay, to find. Traveling by feel, when distant thought left' reason. For something' pulling, out of mind. And though nothing being' tangible. In route, by what' is seen. It is not' an un'real hope. That' is physically, what' there, you shall' glean.

[@MasterOfReason]

Is this Henrick Isben? I can't find a copy of it with the title and author.

[@4Grace4Truth]

That's beautiful! ❤

[@megapoo2274]

Ok

[@GrumpyYank26]

Why does the text say ‘I must DOWN to the seas’ when the author clearly says GO DOWN to the seas again?? Is there a legitimate argument that GO isnt correct even when we hear the author say GO?

[@timgracyk]

He did it differently at different times. He lived a long life, and he was always asked to recite it. One way to recite is to use the actual language or dialect common in the region where that part of the sea was--where he was inspired to write the poem.

[@Aquanite3913]

Hate it

[@robbiewilliams2123]

That's interesting, how we receive the same thing differently. Is there any particular aspect that you dislike? I like his pacing and subdued sense of rhythm. Also his cultured voice, so different from the harsh sailor speech I anticipated.

[@whatsupcoco1997]

Me being a Masefield offensive

[@sanjoyguha4355]

​@@robbiewilliams2123 It gives me goosebumps, everytime i read & hear this poem, specially by poet himself.. We had this John Masefield poem in our school book, we had to answer questions regarding this poem ( Calcutta, India). Later on, i joined Merchant Navy, as Engineer... everytime my call comes fm my Office ( in Norway, Oslo) to join ship, i think about this particular poem by Masefield.... Joining ship fm Melbourne, @10th July 2022.... till then, will enjoy home stay in Kolkata ( India)...

[@robbiewilliams2123]

@@sanjoyguha4355 wonderful experience and memories.

[@londoncalling151]

Good: he got ya!