We roam and rule the sea (Henry David Leslie)
Music files
| ICON | SOURCE |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
Mp3 |
 |
File details |
 |
Help |
- (Posted 2023-11-09) CPDL #77145:
- Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-11-09). Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 474 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: We roam and rule the sea
Composer: Henry David Leslie
Lyricist: William Cox Bennett
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1874 Stanley Lucas, Weber & Co.
Description: Four Part Songs for Mixed Voices, No. 4
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
The surge’s salt is in our veins,
The sea-breeze in our breath,
Our love to ride the waves remains
Through all–come life, come death.
For even as our fathers were are we,
And Norsemen are we now as when
They, ocean-roamers, rode the sea,
The kings of waves and men.
Our wealth may rise, our luxury grow,
Whatever we may be,
We live the Norseman’s life to know
We roam and rule the sea.
Preach to us rest, and praise the land,
Our feet must tread the deck;
Who fear our fleets will sail unmanned
For battle, storm, or wreck?
We can but circle round the earth,
Wherever ship can sail,
The ocean’s stormy roar our mirth,
Our joy the blustering gale.
Our wealth may rise, our luxury grow,
Whatever we may be,
We live the Norseman’s life to know
We roam and rule the sea.
from Songs of Sailors (1872) [altered]