Sea Fever

A haunting sea shanty-style choir composition, featuring handpan in D minor.

4 min • Composed 2022 • Purchase SSAA & handpan in Dm

Composer’s notes

“Sea Fever” features a soprano soloist, SSAA choir, and percussion—most notably the handpan. I decided to go for a sea shanty vibe, which is complemented especially well by the handpan's haunting timbre.

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Lyrics

Text from John Masefield’s poem, “Sea Fever.”

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant vagabond life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.