Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/123
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Ocean’s Own.
87
“John Smith, A.B.,
Drowned in latitude 53,
A heavy gale and a following sea.”
Drowned in latitude 53,
A heavy gale and a following sea.”
We have lost the way to the open sea;
We have missed the doom we hoped to dree.
We have missed the doom we hoped to dree.
For the big ships running their easting down
Are far from the din of Sydney town.
Are far from the din of Sydney town.
Instead of the clean blue sunlit wave,
Our bones will lie in a darksome grave.
Our bones will lie in a darksome grave.
For the means to live we barter life.
Would I were back in the old-time strife,
Once more to be
Reefing topsails in 53
In the blinding drift from the angry sea.
Would I were back in the old-time strife,
Once more to be
Reefing topsails in 53
In the blinding drift from the angry sea.
D. H. Rogers.
L.
Ocean’s Own.
The song that the surf is brawling
Is meant for their ears alone,
Who followed the deep-sea calling
And slaved at it, blood and bone.
Oh! softly the North Wind sings them
A measure that bids them rest
Where Ocean, their mother, swings them
To sleep on her throbbing breast.
Is meant for their ears alone,
Who followed the deep-sea calling
And slaved at it, blood and bone.
Oh! softly the North Wind sings them
A measure that bids them rest
Where Ocean, their mother, swings them
To sleep on her throbbing breast.