[ISHMAEL]
Some years ago
Never mind how long precisely
Having little or no money in my purse
And nothing particular to interest me on shore
I thought I would sail about a little
See the watery part of the world
It's a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation
Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth
When there's a damp, drizzly November in my soul
Whenever I find myself bringing up the rear of every funeral parade I meet
When it's all I can do just to stop myself from knocking people's hats off in the street
That's when I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can
This is my substitute for the pistol
And the thousand mermaids sing:
[ALL]
Come hither, broken hearted
Here is another life
Here are wonders supernatural
Here is the face of God without dying
[ISHMAEL]
Oh the ocean, the sea
Every landsman needs water
Trapped in plaster
Tied to counters
Nailed to benches
Chained to desks
[ALL]
Every Sunday they head to the shore and gaze upon the waters
Silent sentinels
Ocean reveries
[ISHMAEL]
Meditation and water are wedded forever
And this is the key to it all
[ALL]
Oh the sea and sky
[ISHMAEL]
Time has vanished- I have banished the clerks and clocks
[ALL]
Oh the wind and waves
[ISHMAEL]
Let me wonder away and marvel at god and marvel at man
I see myself in the water
[ALL]
I see myself in the water