"A Life on the Ocean Wave" is a poem-turned-song by Epes Sargent published in 1838 and set to music by Henry Russell.
One day Sargent was walking on The Battery in New York City watching the ships enter the harbour.
This scene inspired Sargent to write a poem, which Russell later put to music.
Where the scatter'd waters rave, and the winds their revels keep; Like an eagle cag'd I pine, On this dull, unchanging shore; Oh give me the flashing brine, The spray and the tempest's roar.
The land is no longer in view, The clouds have begun to frown; But with a stout vessel and crew, We'll say, let the storm come down.