Sailing poems

[Bouba]

I don’t know if anyone has posted this yet....but my all time favorite poem...by Tennyson, The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet....at one time I could recite it by heart
The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet by Lord Alfred Tennyson

 

[Skysail]

The Inchcape Rock by Robert Southey is a great cautionary tale I learned at school. Sir Ralph the Rover cut down the bell on the rock then was wrecked on it.


“Canst hear,” said one, “the breakers roar?
For methinks we should be near the shore.”
“Now, where we are I cannot tell,
But I wish we could hear the Inchcape Bell.”

They hear no sound, the swell is strong,
Though the wind hath fallen they drift along;
Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock,
“Oh Christ! It is the Inchcape Rock!”

 

[RogerJolly]

Tom Cunliffe gave us a great rendition of "Thalassa" By Louis MacNeice at our sailing club the other day (part of evening talk):

Put out to sea, my broken comrades
Let the old seaweed crack, the surge
Burgeon, oblivious of the last
Embarkation of feckless men
Let every adverse force converge
Here we must needs embark again.

Run up the sail, my heartsick comrades,
Let each horizon tilt and lurch.
You know the worst, your wills are fickle
Your values blurred, your hearts impure
And your past lives a ruined church
But let your poison be your cure.

Put out to sea, ignoble comrades,
Whose records shall be noble yet
Butting through scarps of moving marble
The narwhal dares us to be free
By a high star our course is set
Our end is life. Put out to sea.

 

[Bouba]

There aren’t a lot of poems about the sea that would encourage someone to go sailing

 

[Blueboatman]

Indeed

I must go down to the sea
Because the sea is liberty.
But the cost of the boat
And to keep it afloat
Would drive a capt to er drink

 

[oldmanofthehills]

There aren’t a lot of poems about the sea that would encourage someone to go sailing

I alway found Cargoes by Maisfield optimistic and in its way Ulysses by Tennyson has positive hoped if only in escape from the hundrum.

However I agree most sailing poems focus on wreck and mishap

 

[Frogmogman]

There aren’t a lot of poems about the sea that would encourage someone to go sailing

Here you go

Set Sail !!

Oh, cast away doubt and set sail for the blue,
Where the wind hums a song and the spray kisses you!
The ropes creak like whispers of tales from the past,
And the sails billow wide as they dance with the mast.

The sun paints in gold on the rippling tide,
As the shore falls away in an effortless glide.
With a tiller in hand and the salt in your hair,
Who wouldn’t take flight on the ocean so fair?

The cottages dwindle, the cliffs fade from sight,
As gulls wheel above in a flurry of white.
A shanty, a chuckle, the laughter runs free,
For joy is a boat on a sparkling sea!

So loosen the mooring and hoist up the sail,
Let the keel cut the waves in a froth-laden trail.
The world waits beyond where the wild waters gleam—
Oh, what is a life if you don’t chase a dream?

 

[WFA]

From a note pad left by my much missed First Mate

We take it all for granted when the kiddies are all aboard
Ahoy me hearties one and all the pirate captain roared

We take it all for granted as we wander down the coast
Bacon and egg snacks here and there, who wants to bother with roast

We take it all for granted when cheerily we head for home
A seafarers life is far from dull as long as he is free to roam

We take it all for granted when the sun begins to set
Another spectacular burning sky means more fair weather yet

We take it all for granted the geese flying by
lapping waves, warm breeze and azure blue sky

We take it all for granted getting get under way
A gentle breeze, kindly sea, a warm balmy day

We take it all for granted as the wind fills the sails,
speed picks up, the boat begins to race along and rigging wails

We take it all for granted at the end of each day
Safely tucked up in a warm dry bunk just another day at play

We take it all for granted the tide, wind, rain and sun
Makes the art of sailing challenging, exhilarating and more fun

 

[Poignard]

From a note pad left by my much missed First Mate

We take it all for granted when the kiddies are all aboard
Ahoy me hearties one and all the pirate captain roared

We take it all for granted as we wander down the coast
Bacon and egg snacks here and there, who wants to bother with roast

We take it all for granted when cheerily we head for home
A seafarers life is far from dull as long as he is free to roam

We take it all for granted when the sun begins to set
Another spectacular burning sky means more fair weather yet

We take it all for granted the geese flying by
lapping waves, warm breeze and azure blue sky

We take it all for granted getting get under way
A gentle breeze, kindly sea, a warm balmy day

We take it all for granted as the wind fills the sails,
speed picks up, the boat begins to race along and rigging wails

We take it all for granted at the end of each day
Safely tucked up in a warm dry bunk just another day at play

We take it all for granted the tide, wind, rain and sun
Makes the art of sailing challenging, exhilarating and more fun

I can well understand why she who wrote that would be "much missed" by you.

 

[WFA]

I can well understand why she who wrote that would be "much missed" by you.

Very much so, and by the now much larger "pirates" who still come to sea with the old man when time permits.

 

[pugwash60]

McGonagall’s ode to the mighty Contessa 32

Oh hail the Contessa, of feet thirty two,
A vessel of beauty, both sturdy and true!
Upon the vast ocean, through tempest and tide,
She gallantly dances, her sailors with pride.

Her keel, like Excalibur, steadfast and bold,
Defies the wild waters, the tempests so cold.
Through gales that do howl and waves that do rise,
She cuts through the fury ‘neath turbulent skies.

Oh great is her lineage, her form a delight,
A marvel of shipwrights, so slender and tight.
Her lines, they do curve with a heavenly grace,
A vision of splendour, no rival can chase!

In harbours she rests, yet longs for the deep,
Where Neptune’s dominion is vast and steep.
Her rudder, so faithful, her helm firm and true,
Guides many a sailor through seas black and blue.

For many a voyage she bravely has sailed,
Through hurricanes howling and tempests assailed.
Yet never she falters, nor wavers, nor fails,
Oh peerless Contessa! The queen of the gales!

So let us now praise her, both hearty and loud,
A jewel of shipcraft, of which we are proud!
And long may she wander o’er oceans so wide,
The brave Contessa! The sailor’s fair bride!

Excellent!

 

[Bouba]

McGonagall’s ode to the mighty Contessa 32

Oh hail the Contessa, of feet thirty two,
A vessel of beauty, both sturdy and true!
Upon the vast ocean, through tempest and tide,
She gallantly dances, her sailors with pride.

Her keel, like Excalibur, steadfast and bold,
Defies the wild waters, the tempests so cold.
Through gales that do howl and waves that do rise,
She cuts through the fury ‘neath turbulent skies.

Oh great is her lineage, her form a delight,
A marvel of shipwrights, so slender and tight.
Her lines, they do curve with a heavenly grace,
A vision of splendour, no rival can chase!

In harbours she rests, yet longs for the deep,
Where Neptune’s dominion is vast and steep.
Her rudder, so faithful, her helm firm and true,
Guides many a sailor through seas black and blue.

For many a voyage she bravely has sailed,
Through hurricanes howling and tempests assailed.
Yet never she falters, nor wavers, nor fails,
Oh peerless Contessa! The queen of the gales!

So let us now praise her, both hearty and loud,
A jewel of shipcraft, of which we are proud!
And long may she wander o’er oceans so wide,
The brave Contessa! The sailor’s fair bride!

Oh hail the Beneteau of thirty foot and four
You take me out boating and make me poor

She has a skin of gelcoat and balsa at her core
You take me out boating and make me poor

The mighty boat is category B according to the law
You take me out boating and make me poor

There is only one toilet and the shower doesn’t have a door
You take me out boating and make me poor

We follow government advice and stock up her pantry in case of war
You take me out boating and make me poor

It’s full of dog hair, drool, farts and more
You take me out boating and make me poor

 

[Minerva]

Upon the Hebridean waves I glide,
Where sea and sky in splendour meet,
The summer breeze my gentle guide,
'Neath cliffs where ancient whispers greet.
Around the isles, a dance of light,
In nature’s arms, my heart takes flight.