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Story
November 14, 1913
The Southern Herald
Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
While ill, poet Alfred Tennyson's nurse suggests he write a hymn to comfort others. The next day, he presents her with 'Crossing the Bar,' a poem later sung at his funeral in Westminster Abbey.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
How Famous Hymn Was Written.
As Tennyson's nurse was sitting one day at his bedside, sharing to a degree the general anxiety about the patient, she said to him suddenly:
"You have written a great many poems, sir, but I have never heard anybody say that there is a hymn among them all. I wish, sir, you would write a hymn while you are lying on your sick bed. It might help and comfort many a poor sufferer."
The next morning, when the nurse had taken her quiet place at the bedside, the poet handed her a scrap of paper, saying: "Here is the hymn you wished me to write."
She took it from his hands with expressions of grateful thanks. It proved to be "Crossing the Bar," the poem that was sung in Westminster abbey at Tennyson's funeral, and which has touched so many hearts.
As Tennyson's nurse was sitting one day at his bedside, sharing to a degree the general anxiety about the patient, she said to him suddenly:
"You have written a great many poems, sir, but I have never heard anybody say that there is a hymn among them all. I wish, sir, you would write a hymn while you are lying on your sick bed. It might help and comfort many a poor sufferer."
The next morning, when the nurse had taken her quiet place at the bedside, the poet handed her a scrap of paper, saying: "Here is the hymn you wished me to write."
She took it from his hands with expressions of grateful thanks. It proved to be "Crossing the Bar," the poem that was sung in Westminster abbey at Tennyson's funeral, and which has touched so many hearts.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Tennyson
Crossing The Bar
Hymn Composition
Sickbed Inspiration
Poet Nurse Interaction
What entities or persons were involved?
Tennyson
Tennyson's Nurse
Where did it happen?
Tennyson's Bedside
Story Details
Key Persons
Tennyson
Tennyson's Nurse
Location
Tennyson's Bedside
Story Details
Tennyson's nurse urges him to write a hymn while ill to comfort sufferers; he composes 'Crossing the Bar' the next day, later sung at his funeral.