The tide rises， the tide falls，

    The twilight¹ darkens， the curlew calls；

    Along the sea-sands damp and brown

    The traveller 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，

    Efface² 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 traveller to the shore，

    And the tide rises， the tide falls.