Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again

Subject: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: Mark Ross
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 04:46 PM

I remembering Tex Koenig sing the John Masefield poem Sea Fever. Looking to find a recording to learn the tune.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: Reinhard
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 05:00 PM

Sung by John Roberts as the title track of his 2007 album Sea Fever. Ypou can listen to the recording on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: jugmws
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 05:56 PM

My old junior school friend, Adam Morawski, himself a fine singer & writer, wrote a tune to this in the very early 1970's. We arranged to record him performing this at The Rockingham Arms in Wentworth (a superb club, sadly no more) . Sadly Adam died a few years ago. I still have that actual recording.
If you send me an email contact I will let you have a copy. It may not be the same as the tune you seek, but it is a good one that goes down very well.
I do not know how to do the 'PM's' .
My email is [e-mail]
m

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 06:52 PM

Tex Konig - Sea Fever

LFF

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 07:28 PM

Here's Tex König singing Sea Fever
https://youtu.be/SvmpwtEcDmw
Same as the John Roberts tune as far as I can tell.


Discogs page
https://www.discogs.com/release/4182526-Tex-K%C3%B6nig-K%C3%B6nigsblende

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: GUEST,Rick Pollay
Date: 01 Jan 23 - 07:51 PM

The melody I like the best is by Andy Vine

Sea Fever - John Masefield poem (tune Andy Vine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4K62sM5FgY

SEA FEVER
(John Masefield)

I must 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 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 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 is over.

I must 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.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: Anglo
Date: 04 Jan 23 - 10:03 AM

Tex Konig used the same tune as I did, by Andy Taylor. Ed Trickett learned it from Andy, and recorded it with Harry Tuft on his Folk-Legacy LP, "The Telling Takes Me Home," which is where I first heard it. You can find this recording on Spotify. I had a nice chat with Andy a few years ago. He was in L.A., and long out of the folk music scene.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 23 - 10:17 AM

I must go down to the sea again
To the lonely sea and sky
I left my vest and socks there
I wonder if they’re dry?

Spike Milligan…

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 04 Jan 23 - 10:53 AM

I managed to refrain from quoting Spike Milligan, but seeing as Guest didn't, I'd like to chase down "I must go back to a vest again/A winter vest with sleeves ....". I've just discovered it's by Patrick Barrington, but I've only heard it once, and there's no copy on the Net that I can find quickly.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: I must go down to the sea again
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 09:57 PM

I remember the third line of Spike's rendition as

I left my shoes & socks down there

It certainly scans better.

Bit then what do I know?

Spike is revered in Australia where his parents retired to Woy Woy NSW.