Oh, homeward bound's a welcome sound, But outward bound are we, With swelling gale and rending sail And rush of roaring sea. We leave behind the chasing wind, We leave behind the shore, And roof and tree sink in the sea, Perhaps to rise no more. We said farewell, and tears that fell Were quickly brushed away; But homeward bound who hears the sound Of children at their play, And song of wife above the strife Of breakers on the lee, May find a grave beneath the wave, And not his family. Ay, outward bound's a noble sound, The sea's a noble host; And they who hear his bluffest cheer Are they who love him most. We tread the deck, and little reck The wild cloud in the sky; Whate'er may call, whate'er befall, We're here to do and die. We never shrink, though heaven be ink, And ocean's waste be snow; With good sea-room we court the gloom, And all the gales that blow. Our sails are set in shine and wet; Our hearts from grief we keep, Like gulls we roam from foam to foam, Our home the homeless deep. Oh, homeward bound's a welcome sound, But outward bound are we, Till, voyaging o'er, we touch the shore Of death's uncharted sea. |