Oh what comes over the sea,
        Shoals and quicksands past;
And what comes home to me,
        Sailing slow, sailing fast?

A wind comes over the sea
         With a moan in its blast;
But nothing comes home to me,
         Sailing slow, sailing fast.

Let me be, let me be,
         For my lot is cast:
Land or sea all's one to me,
        And sail it slow or fast.