This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Crossing the Bar
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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Crossing the Bar by Joseph Barnby — Lyrics
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.
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About Crossing the Bar
Joseph Barnby's setting of Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" is a deeply reflective anthem for SATB choir, sung in English. Written in the tradition of Victorian hymnody, the music captures the profound sense of peace and acceptance conveyed by the text. The poem speaks of the moment of death, not as an end, but as a transition, a journey towards a spiritual reunion. Barnby's soaring melodic lines and rich harmonies support this sentiment, creating an atmosphere of serene anticipation. This arrangement is suitable for services or concerts where a contemplative mood is desired, offering solace and assurance through its gentle yet powerful musical expression.
