ON A SUMMER'S DAY when the sea was rippled By a soft and gentle breeze, A ship set sail for a harbor laden To a port beyond the seas. There were fond farewells and loving signals While her form was yet discerned, But they knew not 'twas a solemn parting, For the ship has never returned. Chorus: Did she ever return? No, she never returned, And her fate is yet unlearned; And for years and years fond hearts have been waiting For the ship that never returned. Said a feeble youth to his aged mother, "I must cross the wide, wide sea, For they say perchance in a foreign clime There is health and strength for me." 'Twas a gleam of hope 'mid a maze of danger, And her heart for her youngest yearned, So she sent him forth with smiles and blessings In the ship that never returned. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: DIRGE FOR WOLFRAM by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE SLEEP by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING POEM FOR PICTURE: TO AN OIL PAINTING BY WINSLOW HOMER (DRIFTWOOD) by FRANK ANKENBRAND JR. CELESTIAL HEIGHTS by ALFRED AUSTIN TO A WITHERED ROSE by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS TO THE NEW YEAR, 1823 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD STANZAS, ON THE DEATH OF LIEUT. P. by BERNARD BARTON THE THREE SAD SHEPPARDESSES, GOE TO A LITTLE TABLE, WHERE THEY SINGE by ELIZABETH BRACKLEY |