Barnacles
My soul is sailing through the sea,
But the Past is heavy and hindereth me.
The Past hath crusted cumbrous shells
That hold the flesh of cold sea-mells
About my soul.
The huge waves wash, the high waves roll,
Each barnacle clingeth and worketh dole
And hindereth me from sailing!
Old Past let go, and drop i' the sea
Till fathomless waters cover thee!
For I am living but thou art dead;
Thou drawest back, I strive ahead
The Day to find.
Thy shells unbind! Night comes behind,
I needs must hurry with the wind
And trim me best for sailing.
poem by Sidney Lanier

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
I Am Sailing Alone
Out of nowhere, I dreamt to go
To a place where no one else go
Then, suddenly, I realized
That I’m sailing alone and despised
Gone with the wind, I tried to conquer to life
Yet, life has conquered me before I come to life
Who so will have me bear?
This miseries and pain I come to heir
Solely, out in the dark I used to hide myself
Feverish, I went out to the light
But, only I and I can carry out the fight
Against the ravishing waves the sore the ocean floor.
I did not face the life that surrounds the sea
And now I come to face a rather painful plea
For now, I’m so afraid to go back to my land
I am sailing alone across where I belong.
I am sailing alone, without someone to care
I am sailing alone, with all the thought to bear
No one else is here, for I am sailing alone
I am sailing alone, I am sailing alone.
poem by Jennie Bajamundi

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Sailor
I am not a man
Nor am I just a boy
I am the sailor
Sailing a different voyage.
I am sailing to the sun
Over the ocean deep and blue
Don't know where I am heading
Wont know when I am through.
I am sailing to the shore
To the places I have been before
Hoping just to hear
People cheer instead of fear.
I am not the truth
Nor am I just a lie
For i am the sailor
With the tears for you to cry.
I am sailing across the seas
To where I do not know
Till someone needs my needs
Calling through the snow.
I am steering the great boat
Navigating through the waves
Hoping that the truth will float
Instead of tears for me to know.
I am the only captain
Steering towards the rocks
With the waves across my brain
Pelting down like rain.
I will sail the seas forever
Till someone needs my help
Till then I pray for a lover
With needs to be felt.
I am not dead
Nor will I feel alive
Till I hear the world and you say
Never again will you cry.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Close To The Wind
Written by gerry beckley and steve levine, 1994
Found on hourglass.
Ah
Lately, it hasnt been easy
Ive been wanderin all night
Searchin, tryin to find an answer
Why Im in this situation
Ive been sailing close to the wind
Trying to keep my head above water
Close to the wind, without you
Ive been sailing close to the wind
Everyday it just gets harder
But youre all I need to survive
For so long it felt like
I was walking on the water
I found the hard part
Is waking without you in the morning
Ive been sailing close to the wind
The weight of the worlds on my shoulders (everyday now)
Close to the wind, without you
Ive been sailing close to the wind
The loneliness its neverending (yes Im falling)
Open your heart, come aboard
And if were back together
I know our love will be everlasting
I still believe that theres a chance
For us to have a happy ending
Peace will reign on earth
Life for all its worth, oh yeah
I pray every single morning
That this time we will be much stronger
Ive been sailing close to the wind
Help me try to find a shelter (to protect you)
Close to the wind without you
Ive been sailing close to the wind
But inside its safe and warm now (were together)
Dont be afraid of the storm
Ive been sailing close, close to the wind (been sailing in)
(close to the wind) dont be afraid of the storm
Ive been sailing close, close to the wind (been sailing in)
(close to the wind) dont be afraid of the storm ...
song performed by by America

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Sailing
Maybe tomorrow with the wind on my side
I will sail across the ocean
To the island of white, the sea is pink
Only one star in sight
Thats where Ill be going
Because Im searching for the light
There goes my mind again
It just cant stop its wondering around
Cause it wants to know everything that is going on
Sailing across the ocean
Sailing across the sea of time
Could be Id find promotion
Maybe I can be what my teacher was to me
He was a man giving the truth to me
Let me see for myself whats going on
Maybe soon I will see the great horizon
The velvet sails of my ship in the night
Give away the colors of the faces delight
Land ho was the cry of the day
As I turned to face the captain
When I heard a voice say
There goes my mind again
It just cant stop this wondering around
Cause he wants to know everything thats going on
Sailing across the ocean
Sailing across the sea of time
Sailing across the ocean
Sailing across the sea of time
Sailing across the ocean
Sailing across the sea of time
song performed by by Rick Springfield

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Alibama
Proud in the morning sun
Day has just begun
Shes a queen riding on the waves
So many miles away
Sailing many a day
Brave in dark storms and hurricanes
Bringing something for everyone
From far-off lands underneath the sun
Here comes the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
Here comes the alibama, sailing homewards to you and to me
The alibama, the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
The alibama, the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
Here comes the alibama-ma
Here comes the alibama-ma
Here comes the alibama-ma
Here comes the alibama-ma
Sailing the seven seas
Like a bird on the breeze
Oh how she travelled far and wide
Now she is nearly at home
Not much longer alone
Coming back on the morning tide
Unreleased:
Bring us home, wind up high in the mast
Keep us safe, hold her steady and fast
(unreleased verse:) and the people at home
Have been waiting so long
Through the tears and the pain
cause theyre sailing home again
Bringing something for everyone
From far-off lands underneath the sun
Here comes the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
Here comes the alibama, sailing homewards to you and to me
The alibama, the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
The alibama, the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
The alibama, the alibama, the alibama from over the sea
The alibama, the alibama...
song performed by by Boney M.

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Gulf Of Mexico
The Texas coastline hold her
Close just like a lady
And in their time they've
Weathered a storm or two.
The river feed her waters like
I feed your memory.
The deeper I go the more I'm turning blue.
The sandy beaches drift in time
And the changing tide I know
Won't bring me back to yesterday
And the Gulf of Mexico.
The sails out on the water will
Come take you away.
When your ship comes in I know its time to go
And the waves along the seawall
Tell me nothings here to stay
And no man is an island but I'm still all alone.
I'm weighing anchors from the past
As the south winds start to blow
Sailing out of yesterday
And the Gulf of Mexico.
I'll be sailing out of yesterday
And the Gulf of Mexico.
song performed by by Clint Black

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
To the memory of my dear Daughter in Law, Mrs. Mercy Bradstreet, who deceased Sept. 6. 1669. in the
And live I still to see Relations gone,
And yet survive to sound this wailing tone;
Ah, woe is me, to write thy Funeral Song,
Who might in reason yet have lived long,
I saw the branches lopt the Tree now fall,
I stood so nigh, it crusht me down withal;
My bruised heart lies sobbing at the Root,
That thou dear Son hath lost both Tree and fruit:
Thou then on Seas sailing to forreign Coast;
Was ignorant what riches thou hadst lost.
But ah too soon those heavy tydings fly,
To strike thee with amazing misery;
Oh how I simpathize with thy sad heart,
And in thy griefs still bear a second part:
I lost a daughter dear, but thou a wife,
Who lov'd thee more (it seem'd) then her own life.
Thou being gone, she longer could not be,
Because her Soul she'd sent along with thee.
One week she only past in pain and woe,
And then her sorrows all at once did go;
A Babe she left before, she soar'd above,
The fifth and last pledg of her dying love,
E're nature would, it hither did arrive,
No wonder it no longer did survive.
So with her Children four, she's now a rest,
All freed from grief (I trust) among the blest;
She one hath left, a joy to thee and me,
The Heavens vouchsafe she may so ever be.
Chear up, (dear Son) thy fainting bleeding heart,
In him alone, that caused all this smart;
What though thy strokes full sad & grievous be,
He knows it is the best for thee and me.
poem by Anne Bradstreet

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
In My Solitary Hours in My Dear Husband his Absence
O Lord, Thou hear'st my daily moan
And see'st my dropping tears.
My troubles all are Thee before,
My longings and my fears.
Thou hitherto hast been my God;
Thy help my soul hath found.
Though loss and sickness me assailed,
Through Thee I've kept my ground.
And Thy abode Thou'st made with me;
With Thee my soul can talk;
In secret places Thee I find
Where I do kneel or walk.
Though husband dear be from me gone,
Whom I do love so well,
I have a more beloved one
Whose comforts far excel.
O stay my heart on Thee. my God,
Uphold my fainting soul.
And when I know not what to do,
I'll on Thy mercies roll.
My weakness. Thou dost know full well
Of body and of mind;
I in this world no comfort have,
But what from Thee I find.
Though children Thou has given me,
And friends I have also,
Yet if I see Thee not through them
They are no joy, but woe.
O shine upon me, blessed Lord,
Ev'n for my Saviour's sake;
In Thee alone is more than all,
And there content I'll take.
O hear me, Lord, in this request
As Thou before hast done,
Bring back my husband, I beseech,
As Thou didst once my son.
So shall I celebrate Thy praise
Ev'n while my days shall last
And talk to my beloved one
Of all Thy goodness past.
So both of us Thy kindness, Lord,
With praises shall recount
And serve Thee better than before
Whose blessings thus surmount.
But give me, Lord, a better heart,
Then better shall I be,
To pay the vows which I do owe
Forever unto Thee.
Unless Thou help, what can I do
But still my frailty show?
If Thou assist me, Lord,
I shall Return Thee what I owe.
poem by Anne Bradstreet

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sailing
(gavin sutherland)
Producer for bonnie: steve hackett
Recorded in 1990 as a charity single against the repatriation of the vietnamese boat people. lyrics taken from careful listening.
I am sailing, i am sailing
Far away, across the sea
I am sailing, stormy waters
To be near you, to be free
I am flying, i am flying
Like a bird, across the sky
I am flying, passing high clouds
To be near you, to be free
Can you hear me? can you hear me?
Through the dark night, far away
I am dying, forever trying
To be with you, who can say?
We are sailing, we are sailing
Far away, across the sea
We are sailing, stormy waters
To be near you, to be free
To be near you, to be free
To be near you, to be free
To be near you, to be free
To be near you, to be free
I am flying, i am flying
Like a bird, across the sky
I am flying, passing high clouds
To be near you, to be free
Oh lord, to be near you
To be free
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Through the dark night
Far away
I am dying, forever trying
To be with you, who can say
To be with you, who can say
song performed by by Bonnie Tyler

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Strange Boat
Were sailing on a strange boat
Heading for a strange shore
Were sailing on a strange boat
Heading for a strange shore
Carrying the strangest cargo
That was ever hauled aboard
Were sailing on a strange sea
Blown by a strange wind
Were sailing on a strange sea
Blown by a strange wind
Carrying the strangest crew
That ever sinned
Were riding in a strange car
Were followin a strange star
Were climbing on the strangest ladder
That was ever there to climb
Were living in a strange time
Working for a strange goal
Were living in a strange time
Working for a strange goal
Were turning flesh and body
Into soul
song performed by by Waterboys

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Beyond The Sea
Charles trenet (jack lawrence)
Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing
Somewhere beyond the sea
He's watching for me
If i could fly like birds on high
Then straigt to his arms i'd go sailing
It's far beyond a star, it's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again i'll go sailing
Some sailing
song performed by by Billie Holiday

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Single Handed Sailor
Two in the morning, dry-dock town
The rivers rolls away in the night
Little gypsy moth shes all tied down
She quiver in the wind and the light
Yeah and a sailing ship just held down in chains
From the lazy days of sail
Its just lying there in silent pain
He lean on the turist rail
A mother and her baby and the colege war
And the concrete graves
You never wanna against the river law
Nobody rules the waves
Yeah and on the night when the lazy wind is a-wailing
Around the cutty sark
Single handed sailor goes sailing
Sailing away in the dark
Hes upon the bridge on the self same night
The mariner of dry dock land
Two in the morning, but there is one green light
And the man on the barge of sand
Shes gonna slip away below him
Away from the things hes done
But he just shouts hey man, what do you call this thing?
He could have said pride of london
On the night when the lazy wind is a-wailing
Around the cutty sark
Yeah the single handed sailor goes sailing
Sailing away in the dark
song performed by by Dire Straits

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I See A Boat On A River
He left on a boat
Just to follow a dream
He had to find.
You can't hold a man
When he follows a dream
That's on his mind.
I see a boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
Boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
I waited for him
Such a very long time,
Don't know what for
'cause i should have known
When he left on the boat
We'll meet no more.
I see a boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
Boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
Boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
Boat on the river.
You're bound for the sea,
If you should find him
Please greet him from me.
There were people who came
And said it's really a shame,
Why did he take off
To follow just a dream.
But i guess they were wrong,
In life you're sailing along
And things don't turn out
As simple as they seem.
Boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
I see a boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to i can't say.
I see a boat on the river.
You're bound for the sea,
If you should find him
Please greet him from me.
Boat on the river,
It's sailing away
Down to
song performed by by Boney M.

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

My Ships
If all the ships I have at sea
Should come a-sailing home to me,
From sunny lands, and lands of cold,
Ah well! the harbor could not hold
So many sails as there would be
If all my ships came in from sea.
If half my ships came home from sea,
And brought their precious freight to me,
Ah, well! I should have wealth as great
As any king who sits in state,
So rich the treasures that would be
In half my ships now at sea.
If just one ship I have at sea
Should come a-sailing home to me,
Ah well! the storm clouds then might frown,
For if the others all went down
Still rich and proud and glad I’d be,
If that one ship came back to me.
If that one ship were down at sea,
And all the others came to me,
Weighed down with gems and wealth untold,
With glory, honor, riches, gold,
The poorest soul on earth I’d be
If that one ship came not to me.
O skies be calm! O winds blow free--
Blow all my ships safe home to me.
But if thou sendest some awrack
To never more come sailing back,
Send any--all that skim the sea--
But bring my love-ship home to me.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Treasures Of The Deep
What hid'st thou in thy treasure-caves and cells?
Thou hollow-sounding and mysterious main!
-Pale glistening pearls, and rainbow-colour'd shells,
Bright things which gleam unreck'd-of, and in vain!
-Keep, keep thy riches, melancholy sea!
We ask not such from thee.
Yet more, the depths have more!-what wealth untold,
Far down, and shining through their stillness lies!
Thou hast the starry gems, the burning gold,
Won from ten thousand royal Argosies!
-Sweep o'er thy spoils, thou wild and wrathful main!
Earth claims not these again.
Yet more, the depths have more!-thy waves have roll'd
Above the cities of a world gone by!
Sand hath fill'd up the palaces of old,
Sea-weed o'ergrown the halls of revelry.
-Dash o'er them, ocean! in thy scornful play!
Man yields them to decay.
Yet more! the billows and the depths have more!
High hearts and brave are gather'd to thy breast!
They hear not now the booming waters roar,
The battle thunders will not break their rest.
-Keep thy red gold and gems, thou stormy grave!
Give back the true and brave!
Give back the lost and lovely!-those for whom
The place was kept at board and hearth so long,
The prayer went up through midnight's breathless gloom,
And the vain yearning woke 'midst festal song!
Hold fast thy buried Isles, thy towers o'erthrown-
But all is not thine own.
To thee the love of woman hath gone down,
Dark flow thy tides o'er manhood's noble head,
O'er youth's bright locks, and beauty's flowery crown,
-Yet must thou hear a voice-restore the dead!
Earth shall reclaim her precious things from thee!
-Restore the dead, thou sea!
poem by Felicia Dorothea Hemans

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Go Sailing
I took a worthless trip
Down lifes avenue
Just to try to find a way to smile again
While I was on my way
I met a wise man who said
That happiness you only find within
I learned my lesson then
So I go sailing
Through the rivers of my mind
I go sailing
Be surprised what you can find
I go sailing
Through the rivers of my mind
Take a chance on your mind
Be surprised what youll find
I took a friends advice
Who said go up and away
Take the magic of a mystery tour
But I felt so all alone
Though I could almost touch the stars
I started missing things I touched before
The tour was such a bore
So I go sailing
Through the rivers of my mind
I go sailing
Be surprised what you can find
I go sailing
Through the rivers of my mind
Take a chance on your mind
Be surprised what youll find
(repeat)
song performed by by Stevie Wonder

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Sailing
(gavin sutherland, 1972)
I am sailing, I am sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.
I am flying, I am flying,
Like a bird cross the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
To be with you, to be free.
Can you hear me, can you hear me
Thro the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Thro the dark night far away.
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.
We are sailing, we are sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.
Oh lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh lord.
song performed by by Rod Stewart

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Colonel Martin
THE Colonel went out sailing,
He spoke with Turk and Jew,
With Christian and with Infidel,
For all tongues he knew.
'O what's a wifeless man?' said he,
And he came sailing home.
He rose the latch and went upstairS
And found an empty room.
The Colonel went out sailing.
'I kept her much in the country
And she was much alone,
And though she may be there,' he said,
'She may be in the town.
She may be all alone there,
For who can say?' he said.
'I think that I shall find her
In a young man's bed.'
The Colonel went out sailing.
III
The Colonel met a pedlar,
Agreed their clothes to swop,
And bought the grandest jewelry
In a Galway shop,
Instead of thread and needle
put jewelry in the pack,
Bound a thong about his hand,
Hitched it on his back.
The Colonel wcnt out sailing.
The Colonel knocked on the rich man's door,
'I am sorry,' said the maid,
'My mistress cannot see these things,
But she is still abed,
And never have I looked upon
Jewelry so grand.'
'Take all to your mistress,'
And he laid them on her hand.
The Colonel went out sailing.
And he went in and she went on
And both climbed up the stair,
And O he was a clever man,
For he his slippers wore.
And when they came to the top stair
He ran on ahead,
His wife he found and the rich man
In the comfort of a bed.
The Colonel went out sailing.
The Judge at the Assize Court,
When he heard that story told,
Awarded him for damages
Three kegs of gold.
The Colonel said to Tom his man,
'Harness an ass and cart,
Carry the gold about the town,
Throw it in every patt.'
The Colonel went out sailing.
VII
And there at all street-corners
A man with a pistol stood,
And the rich man had paid them well
To shoot the Colonel dead;
But they threw down their pistols
And all men heard them swear
That they could never shoot a man
Did all that for the poor.
The Colonel went out sailing.
VIII
'And did you keep no gold, Tom?
You had three kegs,' said he.
'I never thought of that, Sir.'
'Then want before you die.'
And want he did; for my own grand-dad
Saw the story's end,
And Tom make out a living
From the seaweed on the strand.
The Colonel went out sailing.
poem by William Butler Yeats

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I See A Boat On The River
He left on a boat
Just to follow a dream
He had to find.
You cant hold a man
When he follows a dream
Thats on his mind.
I see a boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
Boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
I waited for him
Such a very long time,
Dont know what for
cause I should have known
When he left on the boat
Well meet no more.
I see a boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
Boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
Boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
Boat on the river.
Youre bound for the sea,
If you should find him
Please greet him from me.
There were people who came
And said its really a shame,
Why did he take off
To follow just a dream.
But I guess they were wrong,
In life youre sailing along
And things dont turn out
As simple as they seem.
Boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
I see a boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to the ocean,
Where to I cant say.
I see a boat on the river.
Youre bound for the sea,
If you should find him
Please greet him from me.
Boat on the river,
Its sailing away
Down to
song performed by by Boney M.

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Soul By The Sea
Walking barefoot on the beach,
Collecting shells within my reach.
The sun shines brightly upon the sea
And I’ve never felt so free.
Breathing in the salty air,
Calm, serene, not a single care.
There is no better remedy
Than being by the soulful sea.
Children’s castles in the sand,
Lovers walking hand in hand.
An atmosphere of serenity
For all the souls beside the sea.
Seagulls soaring way up high,
Yachts and fishing boats sailing by.
I’m where my soul was meant to be;
Overlooking the deep blue sea.
The tide comes in, the waves leap high
And splash the rocks that once were dry.
My heart and soul sing with such glee
When I feel the power of the sea.
My spirit was born by the seaside
And here forever it will reside,
For I never feel so happy and free
As when my soul is by the sea.
© 9th June 2007
poem by Melanie Ann Calvert

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!