Crossing the Bar (TTBB a cappella)

Text: Alfred Lord Tennyson. Crossing the Bar creates images of the sea, with the "final voyage" leading us out across the water, to see our "Pilot, face to face." The musical setting endeavors to express the growth from peaceful to ecstatic moods, the tolling of the bell, the meeting of the Pilot. "May there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to see." The poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) is characterized by dark, yet transcendent imagery -- the depths of the ocean, the triumph of the spirit. These poems seem well-suited to musical settings for Men's Chorus. The deep tones. The sonority of male voices (perhaps speaking for the poet) rising in song. Throughout the varied imagery of this poetry -- the depth of the sea, the dark of the night, the tumult of passion and the acceptance of death -- there speaks one, central message. "Love was my lord and king." *Sound recording provided by the High School Mens's Honor Choir, Robert Ward, conductor (Southwestern ACDA Conference 2014) Available Editions: SATB Choral Score (SATB, Chamber Orchestra or Piano), 6378 Chamber Orchestra Score (SATB), 6375 Chamber Orchestra Parts (All Voicings), 6376 Chamber Orchestra Replacement Parts (All Voicings), 6608 Full/Choral Score (SATB, Organ with optional Brass Quartet and Percussion), 7526 Brass and Percussion Parts, 7527 SSAA Choral Score (SSAA, Chamber Orchestra or Piano), 6377 Chamber Orchestra Score (SSAA), 6374 Chamber Orchestra Parts (All Voicings), 6376 Chamber Orchestra Replacement Parts (All Voicings), 6608 TTBB Choral Score (TTBB a cappella), 7720 Choral Score (TTBB, Chamber Orchestra or Piano), 6373 Choral Score (TTBB) Orchestra Score, 6506 Choral Score (TTBB) Orchestra Parts, 6507 Choral Score (TTBB) Orchestra Replacement Parts (All Voicings), 6609 Vocal Solo Vocal Solo (High Voice), 5758 Additional Movements: Love Was My Lord and King!: No. 1. A Sentinel Choral Score (TTBB, Chamber Orchestra or Piano), 6371 Love Was My Lord and King!: No. 2. There Rolls the Deep Choral Score (TTBB, Chamber Orchestra or Piano), 6372 Entire Work: Love Was My Lord and King! (Orchestral Score), 6369 Love Was My Lord and King! (Orchestral Parts), 6370 Chamber Orchestra Replacement Parts (All Voicings), 6613.