Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)

Crossing the Bar 1889

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,° sandbar

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep, 5

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! 10

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 15

When I have crost the bar.