midnight
From far in advance , however , were heard the lamentations of the true mourners , the relatives of the diver . Passing the reef , and sailing a little distance therefrom , the canoes were disposed in a circle ; the one bearing the corpse in the center . Certain ceremonies over , the body was committed to the waves ; the white foam lighting up the last , long plunge of the diver , to see sights more strange than ever he saw in the brooding cells of the Turtle Reef . And now , while in the still midnight , all present were gazing down into the ocean , watching the white wake of the corpse , ever and anon illuminated by sparkles , an unknown voice was heard , and all started and vacantly stared , as this wild song was sung : -- We drop our dead in the sea , The bottomless , bottomless sea ; Each bubble a hollow sigh , As it sinks forever and aye . We drop our dead in the sea , -- The dead reek not of aught ; We drop our dead in the sea , -- The sea ne'er gives it a thought . Sink , sink , oh corpse , still sink , Far down in the bottomless sea , Where the unknown forms do prowl , Down , down in the bottomless sea . 'T is night above , and night all round , And night will it be with thee ; As thou sinkest , and sinkest for aye , Deeper down in the bottomless sea .