Crossing the Bar - Alfred Lord Tennyson

There is a hymn written by Alfred Lord Tennyson that describes our impending final journey with a beautiful metaphor. The hymn is entitled, "Crossing the Bar." It was written when he was an old man. He lived from 1809 to 1892. I wanted to share with you what Ivan H. Hagedorn had to say about the writing of this hymn in his book, "Stories of Great Hymn Writers."

Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892), in his eighty-first year, wrote the hymn Crossing the Bar, and possibly nothing he ever wrote has done more to engrave his name in the affection of the race. And this he wrote in ten minutes. According to his own statement, a nurse who had been with him for eighteen months and who had great influence over him suggested that he turn his pen to the writing of hymns. "Hymns are such dull things," he replied. But her suggestion evidently bore fruit, as this hymn so well attests.

His son gives the following interesting facts concerning its writing: "My father heard the moaning of the bar as he crossed from Aldworth to Farringford. Before he reached Farringford, he had the moaning of the bar in mind, and after dinner he showed me the poem written out. I said, `That is the crown of your life work.' He answered, `It came in a moment.' A few days before his death he said to me, `Mind you, put Crossing the Bar at the end of all the editions of my poems.' "

According to a source I found on the internet, "Crossing the bar" refers to the death of a mariner. The phrase has its origin in the fact that most rivers and bays develop a sandbar across their entrances, and "crossing the bar" meant leaving the safety of the harbor for the unknown.

I would love to know what is meant by "the moaning of the bar." Perhaps it refers to the creaking of the ship or the scraping across the sand as it passes over the bar.

The music that is being played was written by Joseph Barnby in 1893, after the death of Tennyson. The hymn is usually sung to this tune.

Copyright © Jay D Weaver - October 11, 2004

Man on Boat
Crossing the Bar
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 though 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 crossed the bar.

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