Staacks: Sea Fever, the call of the Sea, by Jane Morrow

“Sea Fever”, the call of the Sea by Jane Morrow

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky” states John Masefield in his Poem Sea Fever written in 1902.  It is a poem that has resonated with me since I first encountered it during my school days.  When life overwhelms me, I too find myself being called to the sea shore, to hear the crashing of the waves or feel the peace of a calm sea face.

The ever changing nature of the sea always inspires me to paint not only what I see but what I feel when I am there.  This collection of work pays homage to the poem that continues to move me and to the sea itself for always being there when I need it.

Painted in oils, each one is inspired by a line or a phrase from Sea Fever.

“Sea Fever”,  by John Masefield (1902)

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 gypsy 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.