Crossing the Bar

Poem

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.


-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson--

About

“Crossing the Bar” is a poem written by Alfred Tennyson in 1889, and it is considered to be one of his most famous and well-regarded poems. It is written as an elegy, a type of poem that mourns the death of a person or laments a loss.

The poem describes the speaker’s journey across the bar, which is a metaphor for crossing the threshold of death. The speaker talks about the fear of the unknown and the sadness of leaving the familiar world behind, but ultimately expresses a sense of calm and acceptance of the inevitability of death. The poem is written in a soothing and serene tone, and the imagery of the sea and the sunset creates a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.

The poem is often considered as Tennyson’s own farewell to life, and it was published in his last collection of poetry, “Demeter and Other Poems.” It reflects the poet’s own musings on his own mortality, and it is believed that it was written as a reflection on his own approaching death.

The poem was read at Tennyson’s own funeral, and funerals of former US president Woodrow Wilson, author Henry O, and industrialist Andrew Carnegie.

Author

Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) was a renowned English poet of the Victorian era. He was born in Lincolnshire, England and was the fourth of 12 children. His father was a rector, and his mother was a great supporter of his literary ambitions. He began writing poetry at a young age and published his first book of poetry, “Poems by Two Brothers,” with his brother Charles in 1827.

In 1829, he published “Poems Chiefly Lyrical,” which received mixed reviews. However, his 1842 collection, “Poems,” which included the famous poem “The Lady of Shalott,” brought him success and recognition as one of the leading poets of his time. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1850 and served in this role until his death in 1892.

He wrote many famous poems such as “Ulysses”, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, “Tears, Idle Tears”, “The Lotos-Eaters” and “Crossing the Bar”.

His poetry was known for its musicality and its exploration of themes such as nature, love, death, and the human condition. He was a master of different poetic forms and techniques, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.