On the shore the seaman stands,
His sailing days all done -
No longer shall he brave the tides
Nor watch the wavelets run.

He stands to watch the foam-flecked surf
Frolic over the sand -
To reflect on a life lived free of woe
Upon the oceans spanned.

With comrades had he spent his days,
Made one through sweat and toil -
Good men they were who lived at sea
Who have now all turned to soil.

For only the sea still cares for him,
Only the waves stayed true -
The world speeds on forever more,
But the sea retains her hue.

He sees the waves come crashing in
And weeps through hardened eyes -
A tear escapes his bearded cheek
To join a sea of sighs.