The North Ship

[Verse 1]
I saw three ships go sailing by
Over the sea, the lifting sea
And the wind rose in the morning sky
One was rigged for a long journey
The first ship turned towards the west
Over the sea, the running sea
And by the wind was all possessed
Carried to a rich country

[Verse 2]
The second ship turned towards the east
Over the sea, the quaking sea
And the wind hunted it like a beast
To anchor in captivity
The third ship drove towards the north
Over the sea, the darkening sea
But no breath of wind came forth
And the decks shone frostily

[Verse 3]
The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily
But the third went wide and far
Into an unforgiving sea
Under a fire-spilling star
And it was rigged for a long journey