How it floats o’er the reefs and shallows,
And glides round the rock’s rough form;
It darts through the waves’ deep hollows,
Undaunted amid the storm.
Oh, blithe bird of the mighty ocean,
Would I had a breast like thine;
As free from each passion’s commotion,
As calm when life’s pleasures shine.
No deep waves of sorrow should daunt me,
No winds of adversity chill;