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 crossed the bar.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” stands as a timeless meditation on mortality, a profound exploration of life’s final journey. Penned in 1889, just a few years before the poet’s own passing, this lyrical masterpiece offers a serene and hopeful perspective on death, framing it not as an end, but as a peaceful voyage. The poem’s enduring power lies in its ability to transform the daunting prospect of death into a comforting vision of return and reunion, making it a cherished piece for contemplation and solace.
Understanding “Crossing the Bar”
What is “Crossing the Bar” About?
“Crossing the Bar” is a poignant reflection on the acceptance of death and the anticipation of what lies beyond. The poem’s speaker, widely understood to be Tennyson himself, uses the powerful metaphor of a sea voyage to describe the transition from life to the afterlife. The “bar” refers to a sandbank or shoal at the mouth of a harbor, which a ship must cross to reach the open sea. In this context, crossing the bar symbolizes the moment of death, the boundary between the known world and the great unknown. The speaker expresses a deep desire for a calm, untroubled passage, free from the “moaning of the bar” or any “sadness of farewell,” as the soul embarks on its ultimate journey back to its divine origin.
The Central Message of “Crossing the Bar”
At its heart, “Crossing the Bar” conveys a message of peaceful acceptance of death as a natural, inevitable part of existence. The poem’s central idea revolves around the hope of a serene transition and the ultimate reunion with a divine presence, personified as the “Pilot.” This Pilot is a guiding force, leading the soul safely across the metaphorical bar and into eternity. Tennyson’s masterful use of imagery and metaphor transforms the often-feared subject of death into a beautiful, tranquil homecoming, offering comfort and a sense of spiritual peace to its readers.
In-Depth Analysis of “Crossing the Bar”
A Stanza-by-Stanza Exploration
Stanza 1: The Call and the Setting Sun
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,
The opening stanza immediately sets a tranquil, reflective tone. The imagery of “Sunset and evening star” evokes the close of a day, a natural metaphor for the end of life. The “one clear call for me!” signifies the unmistakable summons of death, which the speaker appears to accept without resistance. The crucial wish, “And may there be no moaning of the bar,” refers to the turbulent sound of waves breaking over a sandbar. This “moaning” symbolizes the distress, fear, or struggle often associated with dying. The speaker desires a peaceful, quiet departure, a smooth “put out to sea,” which represents the soul’s departure from earthly life.
Stanza 2: A Peaceful Passage Home
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.
This stanza elaborates on the desired peaceful transition. The speaker envisions “such a tide as moving seems asleep,” a gentle, silent current that carries the soul away. This tide is “Too full for sound and foam,” suggesting a profound, deep movement unmarred by the usual disturbances of the sea. The “boundless deep” is a powerful symbol for the divine source of all life, the eternal ocean from which existence emerges. The phrase “Turns again home” beautifully encapsulates the poem’s central theme: death is not an ending, but a return to one’s spiritual origin, a comforting homecoming rather than a frightening journey into the unknown.
Stanza 3: Embracing the Final Journey
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
The progression towards the end of life continues in this stanza. “Twilight and evening bell” further mark the approach of night, symbolizing the final moments of earthly existence. The “evening bell” traditionally signals the close of the day, often associated with prayer or remembrance. The stark declaration “And after that the dark!” acknowledges the mystery and finality of death. Yet, the speaker’s plea remains consistent: “And may there be no sadness of farewell.” This expresses a profound wish for those left behind to accept the departure with peace, rather than grief. The act of “embarking” reinforces the metaphor of a journey, a conscious and deliberate setting forth.
Stanza 4: Meeting the Divine Pilot
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 crossed the bar.
The final stanza reveals the speaker’s ultimate hope and the poem’s spiritual climax. “Our bourne of Time and Place” refers to the limitations and boundaries of human existence on Earth. The “flood may bear me far” acknowledges the unknown expanse of the afterlife, a journey beyond worldly comprehension. The profound hope is expressed in the desire “to see my Pilot face to face.” The “Pilot” is a powerful symbol for God, Christ, or a divine guide who navigates the soul through the perilous crossing. This direct, personal encounter signifies a spiritual reunion and a profound sense of peace and understanding after the journey is complete. It is the ultimate destination, the comforting assurance that awaits beyond the bar.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Crossing the Bar”
Unveiling the Poetic Craft in “Crossing the Bar”
Tennyson masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to imbue “Crossing the Bar” with its profound meaning and musicality. Understanding these techniques enhances appreciation for the poem’s artistry.
- Metaphor: The entire poem is an extended metaphor, comparing death to a sea voyage. The “bar” is a metaphor for the boundary between life and death, while “putting out to sea” or “embarking” represents the act of dying. The “Pilot” is a metaphor for God or a divine guide.
- Imagery: Tennyson uses rich sensory details to create vivid pictures and evoke atmosphere. Examples include “Sunset and evening star” which paints a picture of twilight, “tide as moving seems asleep” conveying tranquility, and “Twilight and evening bell” signaling the close of day.
- Symbolism: Beyond the overarching metaphor, specific elements carry symbolic weight. The “sea” often symbolizes eternity or the afterlife, the “boundless deep” represents the divine origin of life, and “Time and Place” symbolize earthly existence and its limitations.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds musicality and emphasis. For instance, “clear call” in the first stanza draws attention to the summons, and “sadness of say farewell” (though the poem uses “sadness of farewell”) creates a gentle flow.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates internal rhyme and enhances the poem’s melodic quality. Notice the long ‘e’ sound in “seems asleep” and “boundless deep” in the second stanza, contributing to the serene mood.
- Enjambment: This is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause. It creates a flowing, natural rhythm, mimicking the continuous movement of the tide or the journey itself. For example, “And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,” allows the thought to flow seamlessly. - Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent AABB rhyme scheme in each stanza (e.g., star/bar, me/sea). This regular pattern contributes to the poem’s lyrical quality and sense of calm, making it memorable and easy to recite.
- Meter: “Crossing the Bar” is primarily written in iambic tetrameter, meaning each line generally consists of four iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). This creates a steady, marching rhythm, reminiscent of waves or a ship’s steady progress, reinforcing the theme of a peaceful, measured journey.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is consistently serene, accepting, and profoundly hopeful. There is an absence of fear or despair, replaced by a quiet anticipation and a desire for peace, reflecting the speaker’s calm resignation to mortality.
Profound Lines from “Crossing the Bar”
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
These concluding lines encapsulate the poem’s ultimate message of faith and spiritual aspiration. They offer a powerful image of personal communion with the divine, providing immense comfort and a sense of purpose to the final journey. This excerpt resonates deeply with those seeking reassurance about the afterlife and the hope of a guiding presence.
“Crossing the Bar” remains a beloved and frequently recited poem, cherished for its elegant language, profound insights into the human condition, and its comforting message of hope and acceptance in the face of mortality. Tennyson’s ability to transform a universal experience into such a beautiful and accessible work ensures its lasting legacy, continuing to offer solace and inspiration across generations.