a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 #

ralph vaughan williams - a song for all seas, all ships lyrics

behold, the sea itself
and on its limitless, heaving breast, the ships;
see, where their white sails, bellying in the wind, speckle the green and blue
see, the steamers coming and going, steaming in or out of port
see, dusky and undulating, the long pennants of smoke

to+day a rude brief recitative
of ships sailing the seas, each with its special flag or ship+signal
of unnamed heroes in the ships—of waves spreading and spreading far as the eye can reach
of dashing spray, and the winds piping and blowing
and out of these a chant for the sailors of all nations
fitful, like a surge

of sea+captains young or old, and the mates, and of all intrepid sailors
of the few, very choice, taciturn, whom fate can never surprise nor death dismay
pick’d sparingly without noise by thee old ocean, chosen by thee
thou sea that pickest and cullest the race in time, and unitest nations
suckled by thee, old husky nurse, embodying thee
indomitable, untamed as thee. …

flaunt out o sea your separate flags of nations!
flaunt out visible as ever the various ship+signals!
but do you reserve especially for yourself and for the soul of man one flag above all the rest
a spiritual woven signal for all nations, emblem of man elate above death
token of all brave captains and all intrepid sailors and mates
and all that went down doing their duty
reminiscent of them, twined from all intrepid captains young or old
a pennant universal, subtly waving all time, o’er all brave sailors
one flag, one flag above all the rest
behold, the sea itself
and on its limitless heaving breast, the ships
all seas, all ships

- ralph vaughan williams lyrics

Random Lyrics

HOT LYRICS