When You Are On The Sea

How can I laugh or dance as others do,             Or ply my rock or reel?      My heart will still return to dreams of you             Beside my spinning-wheel.      My little dog he cried out in the dark,             He would not whisht for me:      I took him to my side-why did he bark             When you were on the sea?      I fear the red cock-if he crow to-night-             I keep him close and warm,      Twere ill with me, if he should wake in fright             And you out in the storm.      I dare not smile for fear my laugh would ring             Across your dying ears;      O, if you, drifting, drowned, should hear me sing             And think I had not tears.      I never thought the sea could wake such waves,             Nor that such winds could be;      I never wept when other eyes grew blind             For some one on the sea.      But now I fear and pray all things for you,             How many dangers be!      I set my wheel aside, what can I do             When you are on the sea?