Inspiring thoughts of adventure, 1838.
words by Epes Sargent
music by Henry Russell
American Epes Sargent’s father was a ship master. One day Epes was out walking on the Battery, the southern shoreline of Manhattan. As he watched the ships entering the harbor he was inspired to write this poem. It was published in New York City that same year. The poem turned into a song when his friend, English composer, musician, and singer Henry Russell (visiting the U.S.) later set it to music. The music is in 6/8 and feels British. The song was also published in NYC. It became popular in America and England. It was used in the 1870s for the first singing call square dance. By the 1890s it was a favorite parlor song.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!
Like an eagle caged I pine, on this dull unchanging shore.
Oh give me the flashing brine! The spray and the tempest roar!
Chorus:
A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!
The winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep!
The winds, the winds, the winds their revels keep!
- Once more on the deck I stand, of my own swift gliding craft
Set sail! farewell to the land, the gale follows fair abaft
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – of my own swift gliding craft
Set sail! farewell to the land, the gale follows fair abaft
We shoot through the sparkling foam, like an ocean bird set free
Like the ocean bird our home, we’ll find far out on the sea - The land is no longer in view, the clouds have begun to frown
But with a stout vessel and crew we’ll say let the storm come down!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the clouds have begun to frown
But with a stout vessel and crew we’ll say let the storm come down!
And the song of our hearts shall be, while the winds and the waters rave.
A life on the heaving sea! A home on the bounding wave!
Sung here by Fred Feild: