Salamander Crossing - Crossing the bar (with lyrics) video free download


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Duration: 03:36
Uploaded: 2010/08/22

Crossing the Bar is a song based on an Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem of the same name. This particular version was recorded by the bluegrass band Salamander Crossing from their album "Bottleneck Dreams". Salamander Crossing disbanded in 1999 but some of the original members (Rani Arbo and Andrew Kinsey) still perform under the name "Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem".

The poem itself is an allegory for death. It was written near the end of Tennyson's life. "Crossing the bar" could be interpreted to mean "crossing the sandbar" out into sea, transitioning from life into death. The Pilot is a symbol for God. Tennyson wrote that "The Pilot has been on board all the while, but in the dark I have not seen him...[He is] that Divine and Unseen Who is always guiding us."

The song itself, I find, is strangely beautiful in that even though it is a metaphor for death it isn't especially sorrowful. There's a touch of reflectiveness here.

Note: I am not in any way affiliated with Salamander Crossing or their record label. If you liked this music I encourage you to purchase it for your listening pleasure. You can find it on iTunes as well as other places.

Comments

6 years ago

Log Minusone

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

6 years ago

Paul Davies

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

6 years ago

Jim Parham

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

6 years ago

gloria slater

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

6 years ago

Eric

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

6 years ago

Cole Locke

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.

7 years ago

Mary emerson-smith

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.

7 years ago

Mary emerson-smith

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

7 years ago

Pier-Olivier Lavoie

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 YouTube and it was so special to read this sentence in the old book in the same time

7 years ago

Thomas G Platt

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!"

7 years ago

Caroline Donnelly

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.

8 years ago

CavTrooper

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

8 years ago

Frances Lee

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?

10 years ago

Miss GoldenWeek

Singing this In Chorus. I love it <3

10 years ago

jedmarum

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

11 years ago

kevinc1220pj

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

11 years ago

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.

11 years ago

Living In 3's

Doing this at my choir concert tonight

11 years ago

Dan O'Seaghdha

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.

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