On The Evening Tide is a melodic seascape, depicting a ship leaving anchor, heading out to open sea, and slowing disappearing into the sunset. It is based on two sea songs, Padstow Farewell and Shenandoah, the lyrics of both telling stories of sailors leaving for a long voyage.

The sounds of the ocean and a distant ship’s bell open the work, with an offstage left euphonium solo in distant conversation with offstage right muted solo horn and cornets, stating the Padstow Farewell theme. The band then joins, with various muted and percussion effects depicting the gentle swelling of the sea, atop which the flugel introduces the Shenandoah melody, with the Padstow Farewell theme distantly blending in muted solo cornets, while the harmonies of the two songs are intertwined. The texture builds, with the two melodies stated more overtly by the back row cornets and trombones respectively. The waves build in height, depicted by flowing demisemiquaver lines in the solo cornets and euphonium and 1st baritone. Eventually, the band reaches a rich dynamic climax before the music fades away with a reprise of the opening material, underpinned by a bass drone, as the ship sails away into the sunset.

On The Evening Tide is dedicated to Lydney Town Band.