This was a poem given to me by a friend when after a motorcycle accident I was damaged beyond repair but unbeaten, surely got me to accept my life and push on. Morior Invictus.
Eve3n as my life may be torn asunder, I will always see the best in a person out in rough seas. We are all on the same boat, even though we are on different levels.
My absolute favorite poem! Standing up on principal when everyone is against you, facing a challenge that may not be conquerable, having everything broken but your sperit. It's a sentiment that most could probably sympathize with, but ever since hearing this poem as a kid, I understood it completely and decided then that I will not be a victim, I will not let them take my sperit without taking my life and I will face any challenge with a smile and a determination that can not be broken down. I think that this poem is one of the core elements of who I am today and I'm proud of that.
BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
He did take some poetic license, but I believe it is intentional as nd he has preferred saying that way to himself for years. He says it the same way in a music/ nature video on TH-cam. Plus, Morgan Freeman does not stumble over a script he has memorized. Of that I am quite sure.
What many do not know is that as a teenager William Henley lost his leg to TB and nearly lost the other leg in his early 20s. After recovering from a series of surgeries, he wrote Invictus. THAT is amazing. Despite his poor health and the loss of one leg and nearly losing his other, he still found strength to live his life. Never waste a tragedy.
I was once the Chairman of Governors to a small Church School, in London. One ordinary day, about 9 years ago, Morgan Freeman visited for an hour and read stories to the classes of 5 & 6 year-olds: no press, no publicity, no fuss and then he was gone; I suspected, then, that he had the measure of "Celebrity Culture"!
You can better understand the power of the poem when you know Henley's back story. His father died when he was young. Raised in poverty. His lower leg was amputated in his youth. He was in the hospital at risk of losing his other leg... He grew to be a big, gregarious, bearded, peg leg man who was full of life. By the way, Henley was the inspiration for the character Long John Silver according to Robert Louis Stevenson.
Brilliant - thank you for the lead: "In a letter to Henley after the publication of Treasure Island, Stevenson wrote: "I will now make a confession. It was the sight of your maimed strength and masterfulness that begot Long John Silver...the idea of the maimed man, ruling and dreaded by the sound, was entirely taken from you".
Imagine going through that without the pain control we have today, the physical therapy, the prosthetics, the decent wheelchairs, the laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. And thinking you will lose the other leg too. He wrote that poem as an act of defiance against fate, which left his head bloody but unbowed.
Thank you for such a fantastic backstory. I find things like this all the time such as the most fascinating to me - the relationship between Carl Jung with relation to his coined term ‘synchronicity’ with Einstein - his fascination with how the Theory of Relativity possibly could explain his ideas on seeming purposeful chance. Also Jung’s favorite writing (& author Lewis Caroll who wrote Jabberwocky) was Through the Looking Glass - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when the White Queen says: The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday--but never jam to-day.' 'It MUST come sometimes to "jam to-day,"' Alice objected. 'No, it can't,' said the Queen. ' It's jam every OTHER day: to-day isn't any OTHER day, you know.' 'I don't understand you,' said Alice. 'It's dreadfully confusing!' 'That's the effect of living backwards,' the Queen said kindly: 'it always makes one a little giddy at first--' 'Living backwards!' Alice repeated in great astonishment. 'I never heard of such a thing!' '--but there's one great advantage in it, that one's memory works both ways.' ‘I'm sure MINE only works one way,' Alice remarked. 'I can't remember things before they happen.' 'It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,' the Queen remarked.
Henley had a very difficult life.. Which challenged him many times.. Almost died in Tuberculosis before he was 20, Wrote this poem while he was at the Hospital.. Survived and got a daughter that died at 5, named Rose. He never gave the poem the name ”Invictus”. He named it : To R. T. H. B. - A dedication to Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce (1846-1899). The company that released the book 1888, gave it the title Invictus. That Henley was an agnostic is no secret. And so was Lord Byron and Percy Shelley.. Great Poem!
Absolutely phenomenal poem and with the modern day Henley spirit in Morgan Freeman is unmatched in its Glory and I forever am aware of these reminders I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE AND THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL....for that I am eternally Grateful to be aware of.... Namaste dear friends May all be well and Prosperous in all endeavors 🖖🖖🖖🙏💙😌
To unlike this video one must be an absolute lunatic. This was incredible. I did not expect to be so pumped with courage so late into the night. That was beautiful.
I still get a cold shiver from the power of this poem, and more so from Freeman’s smile as he recites it, you can see the sleepless nights and the doubt that these words guided him through.
Love this poem, absolutely brilliant words with such meaning. As an Englishman they resonate so much with the values/mentality I have. Such a good way to live your life, the words of this poem are am inspiration to everyone - wherever you're from. Love it!
That gave me chills. I imagine that back in Shakespearean days, what it meant to be a skilled actor was for someone to be able to make the audience understand a poem. I get it now 😌
I learned this poem in high school in the 70's and it had a deep affect on me so I committed it to memory. Now, 40 years later, I still reflect on it from time-to-time. That said, Freeman says "I thank whatever god there may be" instead of "I thank whatever gods may be," as it was written. This is a subtle shift, but can change the interpretation, as many feel that Henley was an atheist because of his not recognizing "God," but "gods." Being the "captain of one's own fate" would also suggest this view. However, by Freeman saying "whatever GOD there may be" seems to suggest that he is recognizing a single, unifying creator...perhaps the God of Abraham, instead of just some mish-mash of pagan gods. Anyway, just a thought.
+rixmix76 It is absolutely clear that WEH was an atheist/or agnostic. The entire poem is exactly about that, how if there is a god, it gave him the capacity to captain his own souls fate-and he practically says in the poem that beyond all this lies simply the "horror of the shade" meaning no light, meaning no heaven.
+rixmix76 It is an accurate and cogent thought. Luckily, we know that Freeman is an agnostic and adamant rejecter of religion. I don't think the alteration was intentional.
man, love this poem. learnt this one for our poetry recital competition. so powerful... also it's "i have not winced nor cried aloud", "looms but the horror of the shade","how charged with punishments the scroll"
No matter what.... there is always someone who will criticize and take something positive and uplifting and subject it to negativity... Get a life people....Morgan Freeman already has one.....
My first exposure to Morgan Freeman was way back in the 70's as Easy Reader. I was blown away by him. The way he talked, the way he dressed, everything. As far as I was concerned, he was the epitome, the essence, the definition of cool. 50 years later, my opinion hasn't changed one little bit.
I've no idea who Charlie Rose is but damn does Morgan Freeman sound great reciting just about anything. From his closing speech in the Shawshank Redemption, to this, to just about anything else, that voice is just so wholesome, making you feel like everything is right, or could be if you're strong enough. He's one of a kind.
I love love love love love love love love love love love cannot cannot say enough of love for Morgan Freeman the legend I have got the find so Bible he reads from it him and the one with James Earl Jones another Legend I love them gentleman dearly two true Legends two of my all-time all-time all-time favorite people actors human beings
There are times in life that one may question oneself, do not be afraid of the darkness, tomorrow shall bring a new day, and with it the promise once more of hope. Hope is what makes us human after all. To you all that struggle, know that I struggle too, the path is never easy, but light comes after dark, and love above all conquers all.
There are two poems, that came to my mind when it was muddled with fear and self doubt. These poems got me thinking positively about life again. The first one is Invictus by William Henley and the other is Road not taken by Robert Frost.
Morgan Freeman can recite anything and it sounds noble
Helps when the material is this good.
Ain't that God-damned right?
As Zefrank says, Morgan Freeman could narrate you having explosive diarrhea and make it sound like a beautiful thing.
I wish He could have helped recite my report card when I was a child
Side of cereal box
The most beautiful voice on earth.
“I am the master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.”
I got that tattooed on my leg last month. The greatest poem ever
No, Richard Burton had that.
Yeah!!!!!!!!! One of the most beautiful voices ever.
00000000
Yeah, right up there with Mr. J.E. Jones
“Magical moment in the history of this show” Greatest tribute to the most iconic actor of our times.
I never get tired of this clip. I quote this poem all the time to my students and clients in energy work. So good.
This was a poem given to me by a friend when after a motorcycle accident I was damaged beyond repair but unbeaten, surely got me to accept my life and push on. Morior Invictus.
Most of us can only imagine how one's life can be forever changed in the blink of an eye. All the best to you, Jonathan.
rixmix76 Indeed, we are mortal! How it made me a better man! Thanks for the positive vibes Rixmix76.
Eve3n as my life may be torn asunder, I will always see the best in a person out in rough seas. We are all on the same boat, even though we are on different levels.
@@jonnightrain Hail.
Invictus
At first, I thought Mr. Freeman got it wrong, but then his voice and delivery made me realize William Ernest Henley got it wrong.
You, sir, must be fun at parties.
Roland Hawken I'm pretty sure they were joking...........
Just good old levity. I doubt he truly meant to comment on WEH's talent.
This thread has done wonders for Autism Awareness.
Roland Hawken cut some slack here, the kid was just joking of course!
My absolute favorite poem! Standing up on principal when everyone is against you, facing a challenge that may not be conquerable, having everything broken but your sperit. It's a sentiment that most could probably sympathize with, but ever since hearing this poem as a kid, I understood it completely and decided then that I will not be a victim, I will not let them take my sperit without taking my life and I will face any challenge with a smile and a determination that can not be broken down. I think that this poem is one of the core elements of who I am today and I'm proud of that.
Amen brother, that is what i feel as well. if you are going through hell keep going!!
Well said my friend. Well said. One of the adopted principles of my life. Isaiah 43:2. God's Blessings.
Always a pleasure to hear from Morgan. A good and caring man. His sensitivity and depth is amazing.
He's amazing
Morgans voice is amazing and so powerful like god made it to read that poem. Beautiful ❤️❤️
Mr. Morgan Freeman. you are A NATIONAL TREASURE. Much Love and Blessings.
BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
he got it slightly wrong but it was still beautiful
Awesome
He did take some poetic license, but I believe it is intentional as nd he has preferred saying that way to himself for years. He says it the same way in a music/ nature video on TH-cam.
Plus, Morgan Freeman does not stumble over a script he has memorized. Of that I am quite sure.
This poem sums me up
He was doing it off the top of his head, it’s not like he knew to rehearse it. What an actor.
Sublime words spoken by one of the Worlds greatest actors! Awesome.
Thanks for posting this
Morgan Freeman is my favorite Actor and can recite anything or read anything and make it sound like no one can.
Morgan never fails to move me. First time I have heard this poem and I have a feeling it has come just at the right time in my life.
What many do not know is that as a teenager William Henley lost his leg to TB and nearly lost the other leg in his early 20s. After recovering from a series of surgeries, he wrote Invictus. THAT is amazing. Despite his poor health and the loss of one leg and nearly losing his other, he still found strength to live his life. Never waste a tragedy.
Love. His. Voice. I could listen to him. All day. Wonderful. Actor.
God i miss Charlie Rose. The world is a much sadder place without him.
I was once the Chairman of Governors to a small Church School, in London. One ordinary day, about 9 years ago, Morgan Freeman visited for an hour and read stories to the classes of 5 & 6 year-olds: no press, no publicity, no fuss and then he was gone; I suspected, then, that he had the measure of "Celebrity Culture"!
Havent even watch the poen but this man is awesome
one of the most inspirational men ever
Words that I have greatly admired and carried within me throughout my life.
Here here.
You can better understand the power of the poem when you know Henley's back story. His father died when he was young. Raised in poverty. His lower leg was amputated in his youth. He was in the hospital at risk of losing his other leg... He grew to be a big, gregarious, bearded, peg leg man who was full of life.
By the way, Henley was the inspiration for the character Long John Silver according to Robert Louis Stevenson.
Brilliant - thank you for the lead:
"In a letter to Henley after the publication of Treasure Island, Stevenson wrote: "I will now make a confession. It was the sight of your maimed strength and masterfulness that begot Long John Silver...the idea of the maimed man, ruling and dreaded by the sound, was entirely taken from you".
Thank you for this input!
Grateful for your input
Imagine going through that without the pain control we have today, the physical therapy, the prosthetics, the decent wheelchairs, the laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. And thinking you will lose the other leg too. He wrote that poem as an act of defiance against fate, which left his head bloody but unbowed.
Thank you for such a fantastic backstory. I find things like this all the time such as the most fascinating to me - the relationship between Carl Jung with relation to his coined term ‘synchronicity’ with Einstein - his fascination with how the Theory of Relativity possibly could explain his ideas on seeming purposeful chance.
Also Jung’s favorite writing (& author Lewis Caroll who wrote Jabberwocky) was Through the Looking Glass - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when the White Queen says:
The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday--but never jam to-day.'
'It MUST come sometimes to "jam to-day,"' Alice objected.
'No, it can't,' said the Queen. '
It's jam every OTHER day: to-day isn't any OTHER day, you know.'
'I don't understand you,' said Alice. 'It's dreadfully confusing!'
'That's the effect of living backwards,' the Queen said kindly: 'it always makes one a little giddy at first--'
'Living backwards!' Alice repeated in great astonishment. 'I never heard of such a thing!'
'--but there's one great advantage in it, that one's memory works both ways.'
‘I'm sure MINE only works one way,' Alice remarked. 'I can't remember things before they happen.'
'It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,' the Queen remarked.
My ears came, my soul fainted.
peterkray lol
Wow
I love passionate moments like this in life
Henley had a very difficult life.. Which challenged him many times.. Almost died in Tuberculosis before he was 20, Wrote this poem while he was at the Hospital.. Survived and got a daughter that died at 5, named Rose.
He never gave the poem the name ”Invictus”. He named it : To R. T. H. B. - A dedication to Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce (1846-1899). The company that released the book 1888, gave it the title Invictus. That Henley was an agnostic is no secret.
And so was Lord Byron and Percy Shelley.. Great Poem!
This post got me to research William Ernest Henley, and I thank you for it.
Absolutely phenomenal poem and with the modern day Henley spirit in Morgan Freeman is unmatched in its Glory and I forever am aware of these reminders I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE AND THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL....for that I am eternally Grateful to be aware of.... Namaste dear friends May all be well and Prosperous in all endeavors 🖖🖖🖖🙏💙😌
To unlike this video one must be an absolute lunatic. This was incredible. I did not expect to be so pumped with courage so late into the night. That was beautiful.
I still get a cold shiver from the power of this poem, and more so from Freeman’s smile as he recites it, you can see the sleepless nights and the doubt that these words guided him through.
🙏
Love this poem, absolutely brilliant words with such meaning.
As an Englishman they resonate so much with the values/mentality I have. Such a good way to live your life, the words of this poem are am inspiration to everyone - wherever you're from. Love it!
Invictus by William Ernest Henley and If by Rudyard Kipling has kept me going through the years.
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
Dang man love you Morgan Freeman you’re one of the best actors love all your movies and all the GOD documentaries !🙏🙏
Awesome Poem. I Actually Got Goosebumps Both During and After Morgan Freeman Recited It :).
Complete magic, humility and power. Charlie Rose is also an incredibly sincere guy. Wonderful. Inspired.
That didn't age well.
Chris Welburn - true...!
@@chris230230 No.
Well.....🤣
Grounding and totally humbling words 🥰
My grandfather's favorite poem passed down through generations
Pretty amazing. I love this man. Yeah-Papa-Mentor-Teacher. I knew him since Electric Company
Morgan Freeman is naturally a genius at his craft and everything he attempts is a master piece.
I LOVE THIS POEM AND I AM SO GLAD THAT MORGAN FREEMAN RECITED IT, THANK YOU!!!
I love Morgan Freeman and I love the poem Invictus, but he got a few things wrong! He still made it sound very sexy.
À truly marvellous rendering of Invictus by the FOREVER GREAT ARTIST AND ACTOR, MORGAN FREEMAN---- LOVE ❤️ Evelyn O'Connor
💚💚💚💚 much much respect for Morgan Freeman!!!
That gave me chills. I imagine that back in Shakespearean days, what it meant to be a skilled actor was for someone to be able to make the audience understand a poem. I get it now 😌
I learned this poem in high school in the 70's and it had a deep affect on me so I committed it to memory. Now, 40 years later, I still reflect on it from time-to-time.
That said, Freeman says "I thank whatever god there may be" instead of "I thank whatever gods may be," as it was written. This is a subtle shift, but can change the interpretation, as many feel that Henley was an atheist because of his not recognizing "God," but "gods." Being the "captain of one's own fate" would also suggest this view. However, by Freeman saying "whatever GOD there may be" seems to suggest that he is recognizing a single, unifying creator...perhaps the God of Abraham, instead of just some mish-mash of pagan gods.
Anyway, just a thought.
I agree. The Gods bit had me skeptical otherwise a very motivating poem
you exactly right...Henley is cited as atheist. also Morgan says "faith" as opposed to"chance". as that a mistake or intentional? :)
+rixmix76 It is absolutely clear that WEH was an atheist/or agnostic. The entire poem is exactly about that, how if there is a god, it gave him the capacity to captain his own souls fate-and he practically says in the poem that beyond all this lies simply the "horror of the shade" meaning no light, meaning no heaven.
+ZombieKilla Agreed. I suggested that Henley was an atheist. My comment was to how Freeman altered it.
+rixmix76 It is an accurate and cogent thought. Luckily, we know that Freeman is an agnostic and adamant rejecter of religion. I don't think the alteration was intentional.
Morgan Freeman and the way he says the word ‘I’ is wonderful.
man, love this poem. learnt this one for our poetry recital competition. so powerful...
also it's "i have not winced nor cried aloud", "looms but the horror of the shade","how charged with punishments the scroll"
No matter what.... there is always someone who will criticize and take something positive and uplifting and subject it to negativity... Get a life people....Morgan Freeman already has one.....
Oh my, what a poem! What a personality. Recited with great feeling. I loved it!
Mr. Freeman could recite the menu at Applebee's and I'd listen to it
'I am the Master of my own fate,
I am the Captain of my soul'
His voice is just so powerful
Beautiful, thank you Morgan.
Made me tear
Morgan Freeman, you can recite the alphabet or a commercial and I sit spellbound. Thank you for sharing this side of you.
He has such a glorious voice
I could listen to him forever
Thank you Morgan Freeman. Beautiful beyond words.
Love this man and this poem!
I fell in love with Morgan Freeman-at the tender age of 5. I still am. B
Oh, how I love and adore Morgan Friedman!
Morgan Freeman is one of the best, a real gentleman.
Morgan Freeman is is a treasure
who doesn't like this?? 21 people, haters gonna hate.
This is the best poem ever
Great actor. Great MAN Morgan Freeman💖
You can tell he knew that one day he would need this and was so exited for it
Hearing this made me cry.
My favorite poem.
❤beatiful
Invictus was also one ofJohn Lewis’s favorite poem.
Amazing
I love Morgan Freeman.
My soul is not for sale
Is it nature, versus nurture, I miss you momma, you to dad, more than words could ever convey
Amen
My first exposure to Morgan Freeman was way back in the 70's as Easy Reader. I was blown away by him. The way he talked, the way he dressed, everything. As far as I was concerned, he was the epitome, the essence, the definition of cool. 50 years later, my opinion hasn't changed one little bit.
What a voice, awesome
i wish i could meet this man . a great human being .
And here speaks a great man and everyone should listen
I've no idea who Charlie Rose is but damn does Morgan Freeman sound great reciting just about anything. From his closing speech in the Shawshank Redemption, to this, to just about anything else, that voice is just so wholesome, making you feel like everything is right, or could be if you're strong enough. He's one of a kind.
Dude..... DUDE. Loved this poem before but now it's even better.
I love love love love love love love love love love love cannot cannot say enough of love for Morgan Freeman the legend I have got the find so Bible he reads from it him and the one with James Earl Jones another Legend I love them gentleman dearly two true Legends two of my all-time all-time all-time favorite people actors human beings
Such eloquence, Mr. Freeman.
Thank you Sir.
I wish I had the money to pay him to read bedtime stories to my children
Write and suggest he do some recordings, he may really enjoy it.
There are times in life that one may question oneself, do not be afraid of the darkness, tomorrow shall bring a new day, and with it the promise once more of hope. Hope is what makes us human after all.
To you all that struggle, know that I struggle too, the path is never easy, but light comes after dark, and love above all conquers all.
Sublime! Beyond words!
This is now my ring tone.
Beautiful ❤
Chills.
I've got chills.
My father no longer carries the burden of my shame
We win dad
There are two poems, that came to my mind when it was muddled with fear and self doubt. These poems got me thinking positively about life again.
The first one is Invictus by William Henley and the other is Road not taken by Robert Frost.
My two favourite poems
One amazing man .
Thank you Mr. Freeman .😎👍
Love this!
RIP Madiba. Gone but not forgotten.
Beautiful
Moves me to tears
Missing Charlie
What a great actor and man
Thank you SO much for posting it!
Is this kinds of poems that had literally saved people's lifes...
The reason Morgan speaks so well is that he believes what he’s saying.
marvellous!
That poem means the world to me, I’ve written it on walls and stuff to be a reminder