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John Oxenham

John Oxenham

The Hungry Sea

   Down to the sea, the hungry sea,
       O the sea is hungry ever!
   Seeking food for the bairns and me,
   Seeking food in the hungry sea;
       O the sea is hungry ever!
 
   My man and my lad—their bones are white,
       O the sea is hungry ever!
   Into the maw of the grim black night,
   Their hearts were bold and their faces bright;
       O the sea is hungry ever!
 
 
   The sun was red and the clouds were black,
       O the sea is hungry ever!
   And the sky was heavy with flying wrack,
   When forth they fared,—and they came not back;
       O the sea is hungry ever!
 
 
   Forth they fared and they came not back,
       O the sea is hungry ever!
   O, I fear the sea, and I hate the sea,
   That took my man and my lad from me;
       O the sea is hungry ever!

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