Benjamin Zephaniah’s passion, genuine compassion and huge talent as a poet and a performer are unequalled. His unexpected parting is a great loss to humanity.
Speaking as a Welsh-bloke who happens to be called Dylan, I have to say I think this is one of the best readings I've heard because it adds on dimensions to what was already a really emotional villanelle, and made me realise that it contains meanings and interpretations that arguably exceed those initially intended by Dylan Thomas. Thank you, Benjamin Zephaniah.
I agree with you. Poets do often read poems really well, unlike many actors - they accent the right words, bring out the feeling, don't do sing-song. I too like the way Dylan Thomas reads this poem, but this performance brought something more to the poem; and it is poignant, too, now that Benjamin Zephaniah is no longer with us.
Brilliant! Thomas was guilty of wilful obscurity: he believed a poem should be a puzzle. However, the immediacy of a poem like this reinstills the value of the genre (a lost art now). One of my favourite Thomas lines is, “There must, be praised, some certainty if not of loving well then not and that it true of perpetual defeat.”
My dad died recently. This was the poem he chose to be read at his funeral. The responsibility fell to me. I've been looking for the proper inspiration on how to read the poem well. This is the best reading of the poem I have heard. It is so beautiful and angry and sad and everything I needed to hear after my dad passed. I'm so mad that I only heard about you now after you've passed yourself. But I'm glad I found you at all.
This is a superb speaking of the poem. Whether or not others feel it relates to his dying father, it stands on its own feet, I feel. Thank you for sharing it.
Watch this twice. Once with your eyes closed, to really hear the words and the emotion. Twice with your eyes open to witness a black artist. Because, especially now, we shouldn't close our eyes to any black life. Rage, rage against the dying of what is right.
Paul Price .....I heard the rage against racial oppression in his voice. This poem could well be aimed at the dying of many forms of light, freedom not the least of them. His reading opened my eyes to this wider possibility. Thank you Benjamin Zephaniah.
I heard the rage against racial oppression in his voice. This poem could well be aimed at the dying of many forms of light, freedom not the least of them. His reading opened my eyes to this wider possibility. Thank you Benjamin Zephaniah.
@welshhibby Richard has a deserved place in history, however when it comes to the interpretation of this poem, try listening to them back to back and I feel sure you will agree that Ben's is eminently superior on this occasion.
Yep, this is good stuff but I defy anyone to listen to Iggy Pop reading it and not be completely overwhelmed. DT must surely have written this in 1951 with IP reading it in 1991.
Benjamin Zephaniah’s passion, genuine compassion and huge talent as a poet and a performer are unequalled. His unexpected parting is a great loss to humanity.
Speaking as a Welsh-bloke who happens to be called Dylan, I have to say I think this is one of the best readings I've heard because it adds on dimensions to what was already a really emotional villanelle, and made me realise that it contains meanings and interpretations that arguably exceed those initially intended by Dylan Thomas. Thank you, Benjamin Zephaniah.
A lovely part of the world my good friend,
A firm hand and a loving hand, my greatest adoration, for a nation that’s offered me love and appreciation
Totally agree with you
I agree with you. Poets do often read poems really well, unlike many actors - they accent the right words, bring out the feeling, don't do sing-song. I too like the way Dylan Thomas reads this poem, but this performance brought something more to the poem; and it is poignant, too, now that Benjamin Zephaniah is no longer with us.
Rest in Power Benjamin.
a fighter his whole life, he certainly did not go gentle. what a man
Benjamin Zephaniah, you are bloody brilliant!
This is the best rendition of Dylan Thomas' poem ever!
I am certain that Dylan Thomas himself would have seen extra dimensions of truth and passionate spirit in this interpretation of his powerful poem.
It's as plain as day, it's not a contrived performance, he is feeling what he's saying, this is every bit as powerful as any I've heard
Brilliant! Thomas was guilty of wilful obscurity: he believed a poem should be a puzzle. However, the immediacy of a poem like this reinstills the value of the genre (a lost art now). One of my favourite Thomas lines is, “There must, be praised, some certainty if not of loving well then not and that it true of perpetual defeat.”
My dad died recently. This was the poem he chose to be read at his funeral. The responsibility fell to me.
I've been looking for the proper inspiration on how to read the poem well. This is the best reading of the poem I have heard. It is so beautiful and angry and sad and everything I needed to hear after my dad passed.
I'm so mad that I only heard about you now after you've passed yourself. But I'm glad I found you at all.
Rest in power 💔
This is a superb speaking of the poem. Whether or not others feel it relates to his dying father, it stands on its own feet, I feel. Thank you for sharing it.
I've always felt that "My father on the great height" also referred to the crucifixion.
Beautiful rendition by Benjamin....
Yay!! This must be the best reading I've ever heard of this poem...wonderful!!!♥
excellent performance - thanks!
Watch this twice.
Once with your eyes closed, to really hear the words and the emotion.
Twice with your eyes open to witness a black artist.
Because, especially now, we shouldn't close our eyes to any black life.
Rage, rage against the dying of what is right.
Excellent.
Wonderful
Go well, Benjamin Zephaniah
A wonderful performance of a great Poem..
RIP
Cool! very different from my version - Thanks for sharing
Fab. Just fab.
The good night is better tonight 🙏🫂🕯✊☮️
Respects
One of my favourite poems, if not the favourite. Wonderfully performed. Thank you BZ. x
I like this version. very powerful. goosebumps n all. but his interpretation seems to be far away from the bedside of his dying dad.
Paul Price .....I heard the rage against racial oppression in his voice. This poem could well be aimed at the dying of many forms of light, freedom not the least of them. His reading opened my eyes to this wider possibility. Thank you Benjamin Zephaniah.
I heard the rage against racial oppression in his voice. This poem could well be aimed at the dying of many forms of light, freedom not the least of them. His reading opened my eyes to this wider possibility. Thank you Benjamin Zephaniah.
As an f Nick Lee cleansed Cockney, I hear you.
Very emotional performance. However, I cannot feel that he is doing it as if to his father.
Real poetry!
interhigh ?
Beast
Love his reading. Here is a song version. th-cam.com/video/maWuzRzTAvU/w-d-xo.html
hes no Richard Burton
@welshhibby Richard has a deserved place in history, however when it comes to the interpretation of this poem, try listening to them back to back and I feel sure you will agree that Ben's is eminently superior on this occasion.
Yep, this is good stuff but I defy anyone to listen to Iggy Pop reading it and not be completely overwhelmed. DT must surely have written this in 1951 with IP reading it in 1991.
And the world is less xd
Sorry - over the top gesturing.
lacking the genuine passion of Dylan ... contrived ... as always
This is terrible he crucified this poem