Salamander Crossing - Crossing the bar (with lyrics)

[@thomasgplatt3101]

This poem was read at my wife's Grandfather's funeral years ago. This musical rendition was played at her father's memorial service and again at her mother's memorial a few years later. We arranged for a friend to sing it at her memorial service in 2010 and I've sung or played it hundreds of times since then. I sincerely hope someone will read it at my service when the time comes. It seems a fitting tradition and reminder to be included in almost any memorial. Indeed Lord Alfred Tennyson felt strongly enough about it he instructed his son before his death that all collections of his poetry published after his passing should include this poem. Here's to you, Lord Tennyson and to Grandpa Smythe and Archie and Jean Roath and Linda Marie Platt too. In the poet's words, "I hope you've saw your pilot face-to-face!"

[@pashakdescilly7517]

He wrote "I hope to see my Pilot face-to-face..." I know it well, have sung it myself on several occasions. I have it on my list for my own funeral, when the time comes. Not soon, I hope

[@erichusher9218]

I have two-three years left (Gulf War Syndrome). This will be be played at whatever funeral service is provided for me, as I 'put out to sea,' one last time, when my ashes are spread into the sea,as I turn once more 'home.'.... And yes, I DO hope to meet my 'pilot' face to face at last, once I have 'crossed the bar.'.....

[@erichusher9218]

You and me both kid, you and me both.

[@stacydavis1997]

It’s been two years since you made this comment. I hope you are ok. ❤️

[@MilesfromNowhere21]

What a Great interpretation of such a wonderfully sad but also hopeful sentiment. True artistry upon artistry. Thank You!

[@JanetAllured]

Absolutely beautiful! I want this played at my funeral.

[@cavtrooper7188]

Outstanding performance and capturing of emotions. My Dad was a WW II sailor, and requested this for his recent funeral. Thanks for sharing!

[@sonianturner2426]

I sing it at my wife,Sonia Turner funeral as a fitting tribute as she had always like it and had asked me about it in December of 2021

[@AirelonTrading]

The same here. I was driving across the country on sort of a "walk about". I heard it then. Incredible the way it hit me. I'll never forget it.

[@sammy14451]

There are so many versions of this poem set to music...none can compare to yours..thank you so much...

[@waynesanchez6504]

THANK YOU, Mira! Many years ago, our local NPR affiliate featured an afternoon blue grass and folk music program. Almost daily listeners called in, begging to know how to get a copy of "Ligt in the Window", which was the show's intro music. I ordered a CD and listened. I UTTERLY FELL IN LOVE, UNDER THE TRANCE of this musical masterpiece!!! When I learned that i had been adopted from a Tennyson poem and that Rani played all the instruments, that was IT. Thank You for uploading this incredible song, which has fallen into the great unknown again. Now that I know where it can be found, I'm going to send out your link to freinds and family. Those who I know will understand and value it, as do we.

[@hunteran]

As my father was dying of cancer this was a favorite of his. As he was on his deathbed all of my siblings were in the room with him and my mother told us about this song, the poem it drew inspiration from and proceeded to play it for us. About halfway through the song he took his last breath and passed away.

[@jeffreycampbell-rl3gc]

OMG how beautiful

[@andreepages8430]

This is the most beautiful version of the song

[@jdspoehr]

I've been searching for this version for awhile. I heard it a year or so ago on "Simply Folk" on Wisconsin Public Radio. I just love it. Plain and simple. I just love it.

[@colelocke4967]

I so wish Rani/SC would get more credit for their beautiful adaptation of the poem. I have heard so many fine versions but this will always be the definitive one for me by a very long shot.

[@ruthlevy3404]

Agreed ❤️

[@carolinedonnelly7672]

Salamander crossing performed this at the NewPort Folk Festival in 2002. It was my Dad's favorite poem. He passed away at 92 in June of 2002. I played this recording at the interment of his and my mother's ashes a few years later.

[@jeffreycampbell-rl3gc]

Beautiful song of a lovely poem

[@maryemerson-smith5767]

i first heard this gorgeous song on "prairie home companion" many years ago. our family has included it in services for several of our own dearly departed over the years since.

[@kimmysophiabrown4807]

I adore this song, and Rani's version in particular.

[@pauled15]

Singing this in a few for a memorial service for one of my singing coaches. Put a tear in my eye

[@ikiathompson7982]

My grandfather's funeral this song was played 💕 Rest in Peace Grandpa Clement💛 21/09/2020

[@erichusher9218]

As a long-time sailor myself, this will be presented at my funeral. Not too long from now, betimes.....

[@maryemerson-smith5767]

i first heard this heart-aching song on "prairie home companion." our family has included it in several services for our dearly departed.

[@khushi8075]

Loved your voice 💖

[@yamamefish]

Me, too. I first heard it on NPR over the US armed forces radio network many years ago when I was living abroad and it moved my to tears. I _know_ I want it played at my funeral.

[@logminusone1272]

Putting tunes to famous poems generally doesn't work well. But this one is wonderful, hauntingly beautiful.

[@wendysenr]

Beautiful video and song. Thank you so much .

[@jedmarum]

Wow - so very very beautiful! Thank you for posting!

[@xErukaFrogx]

Singing this In Chorus. I love it

[@joyfulbodies]

Sung by friends for my dad, who died Aug. 9, 2011, at 88 ~ a man who loved to sing and ance

[@WildeNotesMusic]

The tune and arrangement are by Rani Arbo. Tennyson's poem has not been altered except in the order of the verses. Beautiful rendition here by Salamander Crossing. (Arbo has made the phrasing sound more natural in this recording than in her earlier performance of the song on Prairie Home Companion.) Thanks for sharing this.

[@pier-olivierlavoie3468]

I was reading a 1912 about the sinking of the Titanic and it's the actual 1912 book I saw those lyrics at the end and I wasn't know what it is so I made a search on crossing the bar and I read those lyrics on KZbin and it was so special to read this sentence in the old book in the same time

[@canoestothemoon]

I've loved this song for years and years...I think I want it played at my funeral.

[@warrenroy5376]

I love this song. I for years wondered if this poem had been put to music or not. I remember looking online back in 2017. I love this rendition of it. I really want it to be sang at my funeral barring the Rapture of the Church(1 Thess.4:13-18; Rev.4:1)

[@Annasharma535]

Fond of this poem💜💜💜💜💜💜💜speaker is very realistic

[@warrenroy7257]

All I can say if for years I really wondered if this poem had been put in song form. I read it had. But never heard it until a couple days ago. All I can say it has gone from a song I didn't know exist though I was very familiar with it in poem form to now my favorite song! As I said in another posting if I should die before the Rapture of the Church(I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 4:1) I would love it to be sung at my funeral! Along with "Unfinished Task" and my now second favorite song "I Know the Master of the Wind!" I believe it is one of the most Beautiful Songs I have heard!

[@davidmarsh2278]

For my grandson Brandon, age 19, covid Aug 2021

[@jimparham3841]

I think that bourne in the lyrics means river as in the scots burn, there are many places in England such as Winterbourne which means the winter river, and the lyrics mean that we are being carried by the river of time and space, then the flood carries us away

[@ruthcooke3076]

Bourne also has the meaning of limit or boundary; the two are linked as streams very often were the natural boundaries e.g. of fields or parishes. So there is a poetic multiplicity of meaning here.

[@tripletsisterz123]

Doing this at my choir concert tonight

[@erichusher9218]

This will be played at my funeral; not too long now...

[@TheVeronicaLowe1]

God bless you.

[@kathleenlajoie9785]

The song goes way back as on January 7, 1920 was sung at my 3rd great uncle, Eli Watson Doolittle, aged 69, funeral service at the North Presbyterian church in Binghamton, NY. It did not sound like bluegrass but more like folk as what Peter, Paul and Mary would of done.

[@kevinc1220pj]

JEFF I AM SAD I NEVER SAW YOU GUYS PLAY,,ITS BEAUTIFUL,,,,,K BONE

[@gloriaslater8433]

Could someone tell me the chords--uke or guitar--of this version, please? And what key is this?

[@queenlizs]

is there instrumental version?

[@mirakamada1743]

I couldn't find it on Itunes and would like to purchase it. Any other suggestions?

[@franceslee2938]

I've always loved this poem. Didn't know it had been put to music. It's lovely. So is the woman's voice. Who is she apart from being one of Salamander Crossing?

[@artm2817]

Rani Arbo, I believe, is the singer.

[@kjacques1595]

Frances Lee She is Rani Arbo.

[@lggano]

I loved listening to this. Does anyone know why the tune is so familiar?

[@ianmparr6139]

Clumsy guitar accompaniment

[@georgecummings7440]

The verses are not in the order that Tennyson wrote. In this version and others 2 and 3 have switched places. Tennyson chose the order, and there is no justification for changing it.