Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SEA-SONG FROM THE SHORE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SEA-SONG FROM THE SHORE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hail! Ho!
Last Line: Though I never sailed back again.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Sailing & Sailors; Sea; Singing & Singers; Ocean


HALL! Ho!
Sail! Ho!
Ahoy! Ahoy! Ahoy!
Who calls to me,
So far at sea?
Only a little boy!

Sail! Ho!
Hail! Ho!
The sailor he sails the sea:
I wish he would capture
A little sea-horse
And send him home to me.

I wish, as he sails
Through the tropical gales,
He would catch me a sea-bird, too,
With its silver wings
And the song it sings,
And its breast of down and dew!

I wish he would catch me a
Little mermaid,
Some island where he lands,
With her dripping curls,
And her crown of pearls,
And the looking-glass in her hands!

Hail! Ho!
Sail! Ho!
Sail far o'er the fabulous main!
And if I were a sailor,
I'd sail with you,
Though I never sailed back again.





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