W.B.Yeats 'An Irish Airman Foresees His Death' -

[Celticsnow1995]

Thanks for this. I love the poem and I'm studying it for my J.C English exam tomorrow. It definitely helps to hear it being read aloud. Well done :)

[GallagherWellerBrown]

Terrible reading. Should be quicker. This is a carefully metred, euphoric poem.

[captmark97]

The photo of the Hurrybird is just fine; in two World Wars have Irishmen flown and died for the saxonach. Most notably Paddy Finucane (pro. FinOOcan), which see. But the emphasis in the last line should be on each word THIS. The poem means that the glory of flying like an eagle when other men crawl like worms is easily worth collaboration with the power across the Irish Sea, even if it ends in death. Flying is worth it; ask any aviator.

[cscian]

im doing this poem for the leaving cert and its definitely one of the better poems

[megaliprotopsalti]

I have changed my mind.

the one thing I dont like when he reads is that he accentuates the last word. why? by doing so you miss the point and the point is BALANCE not DEATH...this poem for some reason still touches a chord with me and gives me the goosebumps

[higgolini]

Being a pilot in WWI was almost certain death eventually. Better than dieing in a muddy trench though I suppose... Either way, God bless the souls of all those lost in the First World War. I don't think it was all for naught. They fought for what was right.

[AustraliaFare09]

Thank You JustAudio, It's so good to hear one of my favourite poems read in such a way and the fighter plane sounds in the background remind us of the truth behind the words and the great loss we all suffered wheather it was our war to fight or not!

[megaliprotopsalti]

I love how the reader emphasises some of the consonants. Love the accent!

[Worldspining]

ever had the pleasure to hear Yeats voice ?

no such accent., but truth even though he wrote this in anger. He wanted the pilot to die and he wrote it when he knew the pilot was dead.

That's what love will do to you.

He is a lesson. In many more then this one.

[Occupant]

needs an explosion at the end

[screagle84]

All the plane noises in the background take away from such a pretty poem.

[maxiart]

Really? I though it added to the atmosphere of a pilot thinking about his last moments

[Yorgar]

one of my personal favorites

[korinne09]

it's strange how this poem provokes such a deep impact on the reader. there is absolutely zero sentimentality, no mentions of emotional feelings like love or hate, it's so neutral, and yet its effect is startling. well done to the voice, it was definitely appropriate

[missy621a]

Great poem

unfortunately that plane wasnt around when the poem was writen

should have used a biplane

;)

[JustAudio2008]

I know -but I could not find a good picture of that time -and as the poem is about war,death & human feelings I thought this worked .

But I did know someone would point this out one day.

-a biplane would have looked too gentle in this modern world.

-Romantic even - So I went for this plane of war -hope it did not spoil it for you.

[miii]

wow

(************

[JustAudio2008]

it's powerful and moving stuff is'nt it

[AMason8634]

Very good!

[irishoforiel]

I remember hearing this recited in the movie Memphis Belle.A very good movie!

[thruthem]

Bravo!

[keemaj9a]

Thanks for posting this. Beautiful!

[DarthVader3530]

I Love this poem. Well Done, Well done

[Chessynrae]

good interpretation of this great poem!

but I'm afraid it's W.B.Yeats, not Yates.

[JustAudio2008]

Oops sorry,thanks for pointing it out,I will confess to a little Dyslexia - And If I change it now your comment will make no sense -so thanks again will get the name right on the next one

[salchipulpi]

wow, great poem! thanx!!

[typhon0727]

thanks for sharing!