The tide rises, the tide falls
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town
And the tide rises, the tide falls

Darkness settles on roofs and walls
But the sea, the sea in darkness calls
The little waves, with their soft, white hands
Efface the footprints in the sands
And the tide rises, the tide falls















The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveler to the shore
And the tide rises, the tide falls


Henry Wadsworth Longfellow