The Boatman Calls

The night draws near

the ev­en­ing star

Gleams on the slum­bering sea;

And far away

across the bar

Comes one clear call to me.

I go

I go! the boat­man calls;

He’ll bear me safe

and far

From fleet­ing scenes of earth and time

To home across the bar.

I hear the chimes of ev­en­ing bells;

Soft falls the night

and dark;

To earth and earth­ly friends

far­ewell;

I’m ready to em­bark.

To guide me thro’ the sha­dows gray

A bright light gleams afar;

And I

my pi­lot’s face shall see

At home across the bar.