I
Lo, the unbounded sea!
On its breast a ship starting, spreading all sails
The pennant is flying aloft as it speeds
Below emulous waves press forward
They surround the ship with shining curving motions and foam

My soul is full of longing
For the secret of the sea

II
Crash on crash of the sea
Raging against the world
Furious, the deep roar hailing you
The very gods
Rearing their mighty length
On the unharvested sea

III
The great sea
Moves me, sets me free
The winds of the earth
Carry me away
And my soul is filled with joy

When I drifted out
And thought myself in danger
My fears captured me —
All the things I had to get and to reach
But there is only one great thing
The only thing:
To live to see the light that fills the world