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A classic poem about the irresistible urge to sail the sea, written by the British poet laureate John Masefield. Read the full text, analysis, and context of this nostalgic and romantic verse.
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The speechless sea; alone we commune there. Jesting with...
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- The Racer
The Racer - Sea-Fever by John Masefield | Poetry Foundation
- John Masefield
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- The Ship and Her Makers
Learn about the themes, symbols, poetic devices, and context of John Masefield's "Sea Fever," a poem about a sailor's longing for the open sea. Read the full text, line-by-line explanations, and external resources on LitCharts.
Sea Fever. 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 go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide.
- Summary
- Detailed Analysis
- About John Masefield
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‘Sea Fever’ is brief and simple, yet its lyrical composition, repeatedrefrain, and poetic devices render it a perfect poem to be both read aloud or reflected upon in solitude.
Stanza one
The first stanza begins with the refrain “I must down to the seas again”, which is repeated at the beginning of each stanza and gives immediate sense to the title. Although we may identify the poem’s themeas the desire to go to sea, it also deals with the very human yearning to connect with one of the most powerful natural forces on earth. A hugely common theme in poetry, the sea has always been a fascinating source of inspiration for many. Masefield demonstrates an obvious adoration for this...
Stanza Two
The second stanza appeals to all five senses. Masefield’s descriptions allow the reader to feel like we are standing on the shore, listening to the “sea-gulls crying,” watching the “white clouds flying,” feeling the coldness of the “windy day,” and the saltiness of the “flung spray and the blown spume” on our tongue and nose. Again, the poet emphasizes the irresistible pull of the sea as he repeats the word “call.” With the second repeated refrain, “And all I ask,” he seems to be underlining...
Stanza Three
The third stanza of ‘Sea Fever’brings the theme of wanderlust to the forefront. Masefield speaks of the “vagrant gypsy life” and expresses a desire for a “laughing fellow-rover”. This final quatrain is full of positive imagery like “merry yarn” and “sweet dream”. However, the poet refrains from painting an idyllic picture of life at sea with the use of the expression “the wind’s like a whetted knife”: a powerful image thatstands out by way of its alliteration and the sudden introduction of th...
John Masefield was a British novelist, playwright, and poet born on the 1st of June 1878 in Herefordshire, England. Both his parents died before he turned six, and he grew up under the care of his aunt, a woman who did not approve of his addiction to reading, which he developed at a young age. In 1891, he began a life at sea and spent several years...
Learn about the themes, meter, and imagery of Masefield's famous poem 'Sea Fever', which expresses his passion for the sea and sailing life. Explore the poem's context, structure, and meaning with examples and quotes.
A classic poem about the call of the sea and the sea life, written by the British poet John Masefield. Read the full text, listen to the audio, and learn more about the poem and its author.
John Masefield (1878-1967) was English Poet Laureate from 1930-1967 and published Sea-Fever in 1902. Masefield published it originally with the title hyphenated, and the opening line of each stanza beginning, “I must down to the seas again…”.
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.
