When o'er the silent seas alone,

For days and nights we've cheerless gone,

Oh they who've felt it know how sweet,

Some sunny morn a sail to meet.

Sparkling at once is every eye,

"Ship ahoy!" our joyful cry;

While answering back the sounds we hear,

"Ship ahoy!" what cheer? what…cheer?

Then sails are backed, we nearer come,

Kind words are said of friends and home;

And soon, too soon, we part with pain,

To sail o'er silent seas again.