Copyright © 2002 by Paul Howarth
All Rights Reserved

I shaded mine eyes one day when a boat
Went curtseying over the billow;
Lightly she rocked to her port remote,
Her mast like a wand of willow.
Long I looked out for the lad she bore,
On the open desolate sea,
But I think she sailed to the heav'nly shore,
For he came not back to me:
Ah me!
He came not back to me!

I had a fair nestful once of my own,
Ah happy, happy I!
Right dearly I loved them: but when they were grown
They spread out their wings to fly.
One after one they flew away
Far up to the heav'nly blue
To the better country, the upper day,
And I wish I were going too:
Ah me!
I wish I were going too.

I pray you, what is the nest to me,
My empty, empty nest?
And what is the shore where I stood to see
My boat sail down to the west?
Can I call that home where I anchor yet,
Though my good man has sailed?
Can I call that home where my nest was set,
Now all its hope hath failed?
Nay, but the port where my sailor went,
And the land where my nestlings be:
There, there is the home where my thoughts are sent,
The only home for me,
The only home for me!

By Arthur Sullivan
Generated by NoteWorthy Composer

Longing for Home
Lyrics
Vocal
Right Hand
Left Hand