"What is it makes a man follow the sea?
Ask me another!" says Billy Magee:
"Maybe it's liquor and maybe it's love —
Maybe it's likin' to be on the move —
Maybe the salt drop that runs in his blood
Won't let his killick lie snug in the mud:
What is it makes such poor idjits as me
Follow the sea —follow the sea? . . .
Jiggered if I know!" says Billy Magee.
"What is it keeps a chap rollin' around
All his life long from the Skaw to the Sound?
Samplin' the weathers from Hull to Rangoon —
Doldrums an' westerlies, Trade an' typhoon —
Hurricane, cyclone an' southerly buster —
In any old drogher as flies the Red Duster?
What is it makes a chap follow the sea —
Follow the sea — follow the sea —
Bust me if I know!" says Billy Magee.
"What is it makes a man stick to the sea?
Ah, you may ask me!" says Billy Magee.
"Stick to it hungry and stick to it cold,
Stick to it after he's broken and old,
Freeze in the Forties an' sweat on the Line,
Shiver an' burn in the rain an' the shine,
Stick it until he can't stick it no more —
Curse it an' leave it for something ashore —
Chuck up his shore job an' follow the sea —
Stick to an' live by an' die by the sea —
Search me if I know!" says Billy Magee.
Notes
From SEA SONGS AND BALLADS 1917-22, edited by Cicely Fox Smith, published by Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, US, © 1924, pp. 20-21; first published in PUNCH magazine, Volume 162, May 24, 1922, p. 410.
This poet wrote a lot of sentimental and nostalgic poetry but she was also an expert at the humour when she wanted to be. Anyone who contibuted to the magazine PUNCH for over 30 years would have to have a humourous side. This is an excellent example of her combining the sea and humour extremely effectively.
"Killick" is another name for anchor.
"Red Duster" is a nickname for the Red Ensign flown by ships of the Merchant Marine Service.
"Forties" is the area around 40 degrees latitude South.
"The Line" is the Equator.
This poem was adapted for singing in 1995 by Alan Fitzsimmons, as recorded on SEABOOT DUFF & HANDSPIKE GRUEL by Pinch o' Salt in 2000; Bob Zentz (US) has also adapted this poem for singing.
Jim Saville
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Comments
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I assume she's a seagull who follows the ships!
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Cicely probably is still writing ageless poetry but she hasn't walked this earth since 1954. I agree she is a fine poet.
Charley Noble -
Folksinger Bob Zentz has a nice rendition of this poem as a song.
Charley Noble -
quite a excellent write here, You wowed me, keep up the great work!!
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