And here's the modern version:
I must go down to the sea again, in a modern high-tech boat, And all I ask is electric, for comfort while afloat And alternators, and solar panels, and generators going And deep cycle batteries with many amperes flowing. I must go down to the sea again, to the autopilot's ways, And all I ask is a GPS, and a radar, and displays, And a cell phone, and a weather fax, and a short-wave radio And compact disks, computer games and TV videos. I must go down to the sea again, with a freezer full of steaks, And all I ask is a microwave, and a blender for milkshakes, And a water maker, air-conditioner, hot water in the sink, And e-mail and a VHF to see what my buddies think. I must go down to the sea again, with power-furling sails, And chart displays of all the seas, and a bullhorn for loud hails And motors pulling anchor chains, and push-button sheets And programs which take full charge of tacking during beats. I must go down to the sea again, and not leave friends behind And so they never get seasick we'll use the web online And all I ask is an Internet with satellites over me And beaming all the data up, my friends sail virtually. I must go down to the sea again, record the humpback whales Compute until I decipher their language and their tales, And learn to sing in harmony, converse beneath the waves And befriend the gentle giants as my synthesizer plays. I must go down to the sea again, with RAM in gigabytes, And teraflops of processing for hobbies that I like, And software suiting all my wants, seated at my console And pushing on the buttons which give me complete control. I must go down to the sea again, my concept seems quite sound, But when I simulate this boat, some problems I have found. The cost is astronomical, repairs will never stop, Instead of going sailing, I'll be shackled to the dock. I must go down to the sea again, how can I get away? Must I be locked in low-tech boats until my dying day? Is there no cure for my complaint, no technologic fix? Oh I fear, electric fever is a habit I can't kick. Anon (found on a notice board in Fiji) From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Ron's Hardwood Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:08 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List All I ask is for a Tall Ship and a Star to steer by! Dear Fellow C&C Owners. Today is the last day of January. At E.Y.C. we launch in 3 months. This is an appropriate time to recite John Masefield's poem "Sea-Fever." Ron Ander Alchemist C&C 29 Mk 2 Etobicoke Yacht Club Toronto "Sea-Fever" 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's over. By John Masefield (1878-1967). (English Poet Laureate, 1930
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