When Music Meets Poem: Kris Delmorst's "Strange Conversation"

Sea Impression (M.A. Reilly, printed on linen)

I really love Kris Delmhorst's interpretation of John Masefield's "Sea Fever" on a released album of hers, Strange Conversation (2006).  I could listen to it over and over again. 

Sea Fever
BY JOHN MASEFIELD

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
 
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; 
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
 
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

Her range is powerful. In contrast to the lulling and soulful "Sea Fever," her spirited take on e.e. cummings's poem "anyone lived in a pretty how town" is nothing less than rambunctious.  The whole album is excellent.   

[anyone lived in a pretty how town]