The Listeners - by Walter de la Mare
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- A poem I have loved since my early teens - one of those very rare moments on first reading (or hearing) when you know something important, something deep and lasting has happened.
It's also great that The Listeners gently provokes many wonderful interpretations. For me, this poem's mystery should remain under de la Mare's lock and key, for that is its transcendent power, especially on a young mind.
I thought Vaughan Williams' Lark Ascending was fitting for this, so I remixed and added some acoustics. I recorded the poem itself some time ago with one of those free plastic stick mics. So yah, it's all a bit low bit - haha!
Still, I hope you find pleasure in this, and don't mind my running Vaughan Williams' music for much longer than the poem.
Here is the poem:
The Listeners
'Is there anybody there?' said the Traveller,
Knocking on the moonlit door;
And his horse in the silence champed the grasses
Of the forest's ferny floor:
And a bird flew up out of the turret,
Above the Traveller's head:
And he smote upon the door again a second time;
'Is there anybody there?' he said.
But no one descended to the Traveller;
No head from the leaf-fringed sill
Leaned over and looked into his grey eyes,
Where he stood perplexed and still.
But only a host of phantom listeners
That dwelt in the lone house then
Stood listening in the quiet of the moonlight
To that voice from the world of men:
Stood thronging the faint moonbeams on the dark stair,
That goes down to the empty hall,
Hearkening in an air stirred and shaken
By the lonely Traveller's call.
And he felt in his heart their strangeness,
Their stillness answering his cry,
While his horse moved, cropping the dark turf,
'Neath the starred and leafy sky;
For he suddenly smote on the door, even
Louder, and lifted his head:-
'Tell them I came, and no one answered,
That I kept my word,' he said.
Never the least stir made the listeners,
Though every word he spake
Fell echoing through the shadowiness of the still house
From the one man left awake:
Ay, they heard his foot upon the stirrup,
And the sound of iron on stone,
And how the silence surged softly backward,
When the plunging hoofs were gone.
[Source: The Collected Poems of Walter de la Mare (1979)]
I first read this 55 years ago and thought about it all that day and suddenly today in the shower I remembered this magnificent poem and thanks to the electric mist here I am. I am not young again - but I am again. I give thanks to God for the beauty that is in this life.
Very Inspiring
Thanks for your thoughts.
deep
Beautiful thoughts on a lovely poem and equally lovely piece of music 🌼
This poem was hanging up in one of the boy's boarding houses at my school and I would always read it when I came to visit and loved the strange and haunting feelings it awakened in me. I was 16 at the time. Fast forward a few years - I was in college and would often think of the beautiful poem that hung up in one of the boys' houses at my long lost school in the long forgotten past of my English countryside school. But for the life of me I couldn't remember the name of the author nor the title of the poem. I was so desperate to find this poem again that I tried to google some of the lines but they were so jumbled up in my head that I couldn't find it. I then researched the Head of House at the time and e-mailed him asking for the name of the poem. He never replied. And I even learned from an old schoolmate that the house was closed and had been torn down. Fast forward to early 2019. My dad started reciting it randomly and immediately I was taken back to my idyllic school days, wandering the halls of the creaky Victorian boarding house and stopping always to read this enchanting poem that stirred such strange feelings in me. It stirs these feelings in me still - like I am still 16 and a listener to an old, forgotten past.
My bosom returns an echo....
I was on holiday in Ireland and unable to sleep one late summer night. My Grandfather came into the room and read this poem to me. I was eight or nine and De la Mare's beautiful poem has stayed with me ever since. I have read this poem to my children and now read it to my grand kids. I sometimes have to hide my eyes as the words always bring a tear to my eye when I read or listen to it. My Grandfather and Father are now Listeners and I will soon join them to listen in darkened halls but this poem will never die and will hopefully pass through the generations of my family. A beautiful reading and the accompanying music sets it off so well. Many Thanks
What a lovely story, thank you. I rather regret that I don't have any children or grand-children to read this poem to, but having uploaded it here is a happy compensation. My best wishes to you and yours.
@thatblannermouthcat what a beautifully written letter........you should send in some storIES.... MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & YOURS.
Khub valo
Empathy , for you - and the poet.
How beautiful for you and so lovely to hear your story sandwiched with wisdom and love... thankyou
What beautiful words ❤️
This poem was in my secondary school. I loved it and sill love it. I feel the plaintiveness to the bottom of my heart whenever I recite it.
For me this is an Irish person returning to Ireland after the famine where he escaped to America returning to find his family home empty, no survivors of the famine. It makes me cry, just their ghosts remembering……
How the slience surged slowly backwards when the hoofs were gone. Brilliant!
I have spent the last 2 days trying to remember this poem. Finally, I remembered and found this recording ... and it was read so beautifully. Thank you for the reading and for helping to rekindle thoughts and feelings from many years ago.
One of the first poems I learned off by heart 💜
At secondary school 1980-1985. Recently I heard that my English teacher had passed away. I can always remember her reading this poem to the class. Brings back happy memories.
💜
I studied this poem in a literature when I was about 14 years old. I learned about literary devices and yes, Walter de la Mare expertly uses them to paint a vivid picture. I was swept up in the magic of his words. I was there in that house when the traveler visited. But I uttered not a word because I too was one of the phantom listeners!
Is there anyone there in January 2021 its good to listen to during our covid experience
While going through my Gr. Aunt's books, Eleanor Doorly, I found out she was friends with de la Mare. He wrote the forward in a couple of her books. He praised her on a regular basis, they were friends. My Aunt won the Carnegie Award for children's literature in 1939 Europe as the war began. They did not want to extend the award that year due to the war but they did and the award was shared with my aunt and Pearl S. Buck of Bucks County, PA.
What a fascinating account Dolores, thank you.
Always one of my favourite Walter de la Mare poems and with Lark Ascending is even more haunting and beautiful. Beautifully read - thank you for sharing.
The lark ascending in the back ground is a perfect fit. Love the poem and the music.
I learned this poem in school in Ireland, It has stayed in my mind ever since.
I was such a flake as a young student but I was forced to study poems like this and now that I am old they come back to comfort me and give meaning to my final years. Imagine if I had been sensible and studious! What might have been is an unknown land.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Such a beautiful, haunting poem. When I first read it in high school, it gave me a strange sense of foreboding. Still does. Thanks to the reader who executed beautifully.
This reminds me of my eldest sister who used to read this poem to us when we were young. It has an eerie fascination which my remaining sister and I still feel. Thank you for your wonderful delivery.
Beautiful....And Lark Ascending is unbearably beautiful too
Thanks sir. This is a beautiful Mystery and wanderfu story.
My favourite childhood poem. Thank you for this. Beautifully spoken.
Whenever I look upon a full moon, I'm always reminded of this poem. I learned it in school and to this day among the many poems I'm glad to know, this one stirs me unlike the rest. Differently. I can't explain it. This is a very beautiful reading of one of my favourite poems. Thank you.
You read it so beautifully - I was almost scared to listen to the poem as it has been alive for so long since I first read it and so I was afraid to hear it spoken and to become tangible but I needn't have worried - thank you! It is also lovely to read about so many people who the poem similarly seems to have left a burning and lingering imprint upon; as it has followed me and was the first time I realised that words lived and that they breathed. Thanks again.
Thank you Amy. I know what you mean about expectations, especially when something is fixed in one's deep psyche, and if I may say so, I'm relieved I did not spoil it for you. Warmest wishes, Ant.
@@AntPDC It takes more than skill to read this poem alud this well. Thank you for sharing all your gifts of responsiveness to a poem that is about responding and responsibilities.
I have loved this poem forever. It was beautifully spoken.
Very kind of you Kay, thank you.
This has always been my favourite narrative poem. It contains so much mystery and I come back to it time and again. It never grows stale. This is a wonderful rendition.
one of the most beautiful poems EVER! and you read it BEAUTIFULLY.
Thank you Lola
hat a beautiful mystery! Thank you for sharing this in your own voice, with your own vision!
Reminds me of my narcissist family years ago and the intense loneliness 💔 of my youth
Beautiful.
Hearkening with silence
I cannot forget this poem.. It haunts me like none other and makes me want to know more..It makes my eyes glisten with moistness and a longing that cannot be told but felt by a silent 💜!
+AntPDC Bless your pilgrim soul for this my friend ... I love a good mystery!
Wonderfully read, and a nice musical accompaniment. This is one of my favorite poems, and although I can't remember when I first came across it, I do recall how deeply it affected me, at first reading. Aye, there's the rub, because each time you read it or even better yet, recite it, the imagery within seems to become more real, until years later, it's almost three-dimensional. In the wee hours of the morning, when sleep has fled and resists returning, it's one of the poems I recite to myself, in the darkness, and having spent some time in the deep woods alone, the ending: "...and how the silence surged softly backward, when the plunging hoofs were gone." makes a connection. I've come upon deserted ruins in woods, wondered who built them, who lived there, and why they were now empty, and now I know they weren't empty; they were full of 'listeners". Thanks for this excellent reading.
I've loved this poem all my life since my early school days and as I await my students on-line during this Covid confinement, I open class saying " Is there anyone there ... and can't help reciting De la Mare's beautiful poem.
Made me cry 😭
Best version. Reminds me of my young days and the concept Rock albums of the time. My Dad used to read me this. Always haunting. Now we are the Listeners ...
Beautiful story I can’t wait to dig deeper in this in school you really make this poem really clear this is something for my English essay and I love this so much.
Thanks for listening Ciara, and for your kind comments too.
This is one of the best readings I have heard.
A haunting poem that I've pondered about for a long while.
Beautifully done, and one of my favorites since the first time I read it. Compelling, mysterious; who is the traveler? Why has he come? Who lived in the forest dwelling? Where have they gone? What was the promise? Where is the traveler bound, having kept his promise? Shall we all be "listeners" one day, when we have passed out of this earthly realm? So many questions, so few answers; life, paraphrased...
And equally important is the way De La Mare expressed it; in my mind, how something is written is at least as important as what is written. When they are both done well, it is a treasure.
Thank you keith - alas, I had missed your insightful comment.
AntPDC "...how the silence surged softly backward, when the plunging hoofs were gone."
It's a noisy world today, with stillness at a premium, and only in stillness can one appreciate the last line of Walter De la Mare's "The Listeners". I was fortunate to live in a three-story Victorian house between the ages of four and twelve, set on the edge of a small suburban town. It had been home to a family, then a couple, and finally just an old woman, who became a "Listener". In 1953, the world was quieter, and there were many times when I was alone in the stillness of the house that I experienced the "silence surging softly backward". Though it might seem disturbing, it is actually quite comforting and serene, like the return of an old friend. Sometimes, when the din and clamor of the modern world presses in on me, my mind takes me to that oasis of stillness, and I smile. As for the house of the Traveler, perhaps it describes allegorically the angst of arriving too late to bid an appropriate farewell to loved ones, and how powerless we are to bridge the gap between our world and the next. It troubles us, makes us a bit angry, perhaps with ourselves, and then we get on with living - leaving the Listeners to their twilight realm. Thanks for reading this so well - your accent made it even better.
Although I'm shamefully, ridiculously late in responding to your comment Keith, I thank you for it because it is my favourite insight so far as to the feelings and ideas De la Mare wanted to convey. My very best wishes, Anthony.
Thank you! You so perfectly captured this poem with your reading, the music and illustrations. I'm sharing it for National Poetry Month after reviewing a dozen or more renditions. Some came close, but yours is haunting.
How kind of you Joyce. Thank you and best wishes.
The poignant sense of yearning and melancholy in Vaughan Williams' "Lark Ascending" complements the poem and your reading of it quite wonderfully. I've read some de la Mare in the past, but this is my first encounter with "The Listeners." Glad to know it.
Many thanks for your comment Jan - it is a poem that has remained in my consciousness since I first read it as a boy. It's one of those experiences which makes a big impression at an early age, and lasts, and gave birth to an enduring love of poetry. Best wishes.
This poem is a classic and touches most people in a deeply spiritual manner. Nice reading and the following music was perfect in extending the mood.
What could march more than this?
is this a poem or reality
I know u won't be able to understand my wordings but
this was a masterpiece that cant be better than this
*Every every good AntPDC it was bravo you reading your feeling in this poem was so highly good that it touched my heart as I could feel the voice in the dark answering*
Thank you Nicole. As I said in my Description: "Still, I hope you find pleasure in this, and don't mind my running Vaughan Williams' music for much longer than the poem." It's beautiful music which I thought complimentary.
Best wishes, and thank you so much for visiting my channel!
I'm still trying to figure out what this poem is all about. Is the traveler someone visiting a haunted house perhaps knowing the only ones there are silent ghosts, or is the traveler a spirit making his presence known to the people still living in the house, or am I completely wrong about everything in this poem?
A BEAUTUL HUNTING POEM, REAL TOUCH OF ANOTHER WORLD, EXCELLENT.
Actually I think you have a lovely speaking voice. And yes, you are right, the image and sound evoked by the beautiful Lark Ascending is indeed a profound joy. I hope the English countryside never loses that wonderful quality.
Thx for this video and I am so lucky to watch this video in class and I liked it so much that I watched it again twice!
How kind of you Elina.
@@AntPDC thx
@@AntPDC can u pls make a video on block mountain vs platues pls I have problem with those subject? I will be very happy if u do so... :) waiting for ur response
@@Aspeckoflife I'm sorry, I'm not a teacher. Best wishes and good luck!
@@AntPDC thx a lot for ur effort and I will appreciate it for my whole life and plus now we are not doing the chapter anymore so no issues thx again!
I like to hear, watch and read horrer stories. It is the great moment for me at the time when I watch such stories.
The background music is amazing
Using this as a guide on how to pronounce and give life to this poem, hopefully that's fine
Very good, both the reading and the images. Many thanks.
I very much enjoyed this. The music brought to mind the movie Night of the Hunter.
Stuck in my mind since Ifirst read it at school. It brought visions into my head which I am only now attempting to realise as an art form. Wish me luck!
All the luck in the World Peter!
this is just perfect, i wasn't even aware that i needed to hear it until now, i'm so glad that i came across this video, it's so soothing and indescribably beautiful, the voice, the pace of speaking, the melody, the poem itself - i'm in awe, i could listen to this forever, i swear, it is now my comfort video, thank you
I'm so glad Joanna, thank you.
I agree it's wonderful to hear this again.
Thank you so much sir for your wonderful poem.
Pure magic nothing else like it!
The listeners my favourite poem .
Wonderful my favourite poem
Pardon, i had just listened to de la Mare. Now his work is awesome.
As I recall, a number of chapters in Richard Adams’ Watership Down were preceded by quotes from or related to de la Mare.
Now iam studying 7th std in my book this poem is my memory poem and i love this ever
very good
Lovely
this poem is really nice
thanks, enjoyed your version. my favourite poem, jen
My wife thinks that this poem is sublimely magical. Tell them I came....Maybe they were dead😢
@AngeleDeux1 I credited the music in my description :) - and I see that the copyright owners flagged it too! It's Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending". The composition is based on the eponymous poem about a Skylark by George Meredith. If you have ever lain down in a field in the British countryside in Summer and looked up, you will have often heard, and then seen far far above, a hovering skylark singing. It's a profound joy!
Good effects
Wonderful!!
Many thanks!
Soul music ♥
Idk how my teacher found this but its a very good poem :)
Ikr how do teachers do it
You have the gift my young friend, thank you far sharing it with us. I wonder if you might like to try the Shakespeare Sonnet "How Like a Winter Hath My Absence Been" accompanied by the slow movement of Dvorjak's "New World "Symphony. It would be perfect for you,
Why thanks bella - allow me to explore the sonnet if you will :)
Well done.
Very nice ricitation
How kind. Thank you.
@supersesqui Oh come on - give it a go! Like you, this poem affected me yonks ago. We are all amateurs here, and de la Mare would doubtless be tickled by the silver hare he set running. And he'd be equally happy, I'm betting, that his poem had become the subject of lively discussion far into 2011 - and in a completely incredible global forum such as this! I really want to hear your take, especially because of your singular feelings. I assure you, there will be no acidulousness from me.
the music paired with ur voice sounds like a cutscene in a game
@muslimar Thank you! I agree with you about its haunting nature - a story that will never be resolved. So we use our imagination, and therein lies this poem's power. Best wishes.
Who is "the one man left awake"?
The Traveller? No!
The Reader!
How kind of you to comment. Best wishes in all that you do.
Lol i just went to the comments and saw only inspiring thoughts 😂
Who do you think he might have promised to return?
The poet does not tell us. And so we are left to speculate, conjuring our imagination. This affects us deeply, and I think this is why the poem works so well.
Thanks
Can someone explain this poem to me? It sounds very mysterious
Sorry I'm late Melissa. Hope this helps: www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides8/Listeners.html
Please tamil translation in this story
Please tamil explanation this story
Hearing this Poem in The Lost Crown being Read via a Phone that doesn't work, by a paranormal being made it kind of creepy.
@jennywilsonstudio Thanks Jen :)
@supersesqui Why thanks! Serious posters do so to convey their love and enthusiasm for an artist, in the hope that it will light a spark in many people's minds elsewhere, however imperfectly conveyed. I see that you have posted similar criticism about others' reading of The Listeners, in a tone I'd not myself employ. This isn't the Royal Shakespeare Company :). May we hear your own interpretation? And I mean that sincerely. I love to discuss things and it would be fun!
Its mysterious and strange my story today read it before it fades away
Through out time explains its echoing
Of my heart’s bay
Walter de la mare’s traveler strolls
In its dreams and ray
Thronging it self on the moonbeams of love that came to lay
By twana_burhan
Add my ig on instagram for more of those
Wow nyc
This is my homework
🤟🤞😭🥺
The music doesn't work for me, but I like the enigmatic reading.
Thank you Jacey.
provacative
Sorry if I am being obtuse, but who is reading this? I am looking for a recording of it for a funeral, but struggling at the moment. Any pointers would be much appriciated :)
+Jade Colgan I'm reading it Jade, if that helps?
AntPDC Nice job Jade . Happy hallows Eve !
@AntPDC
Not sure MY voice would be appreciated by many others. This poem has been in my head for 45 years.................for some reason I have always felt that the story is far far darker than appreciated or read by most people. As for 'tone' ...I am sured you are not intending a pun....but that is exactly what I was railing at elsewhere.. lol......someone who has the audacity to make a video, reading a poem, who cannot even pronounce the words on the page in front of them !
Hi
what is the music? :)
its ok but it is very good and my favourite poem
Nicole Jemma
My teacher gave us that to read
I hope you enjoyed it.
Also ppl from cwlc
Half the video is just music and images! ;)