It was a good week for boating set: Crystal announced it would soon be back in the Bahamas; American Cruise Lines quietly launched a couple of departures in the US, and Seabourn revealed record sales. That got us thinking about sailing again. Which made us think of this song.

(News that Rod Stewart was enlisted by New Zealand tourism to kick off the 36th annual America’s Cup with a virtual performance of “Sailing” – beamed to the South Pacific nation on March 13 – also helped to put Rod on our radar.)

Appearing, suitably, on the 1975 album “Atlantic Crossing,” the song hit No. 1 for Stewart in the UK but, surprisingly, didn’t even crack the top 50 in the US or Canada.

Nevertheless, the beautiful ballad – seemingly a bit of departure for Rod the Rocker – quickly became an ode to escape and an anthem of personal freedom and enlightenment, and to this day remains a staple in the repertoire of the Scottish singer and in the hearts and minds of many fans.

To illustrate why, just check out this stunning version, complete with backing choir, performed at the incomparable Royal Albert Hall in London in 2016. Goosebumps.

Lyrics

I am sailing, I am sailing
Home again ‘cross the sea
I am sailing, stormy waters
To be near you, to be free

I am flying, I am flying
Like a bird ‘cross the sky
I am flying, passing high clouds
To be near you, to be free

Can you hear me, can you hear me
Through the dark night, far away?
I am dying, forever crying
To be with you, who can say

We are sailing, we are sailing
Home again ‘cross the sea
We are sailing stormy waters
To be near you, to be free
Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free