Nice poem covers the essence of being a pioneer. Someone thats is the first to explore, settle, or build in new areas. Someone willing to create things new and bold. It covers the younger youth that adapt to new ideas and want to explore the world on their own. The passion for being a pioneer in you field of study or being someone who creates something for the world to see. Hopefully this video inspires others to be pioneers and explore new possibilities.
@Mistah0 People of older generations were taught to say Arkansas as AR-kansas. As someone who spends too much time around old people, I've picked up on it and now say AR-Kkansas as well.
Everyone who is bitching and spewing political crap have missed the moral of the poem. The future is out there, it's ours, we need to continue on our journey through life despite the rough trails in front of us. The world was built with sweat, hard work, and heart, and that is how we must build the future.
soo in conclusion. great poem, cool guy, some people disagree about what the takeaway or context is. im not here for conversation though so we can all stop replying to me? have a great life.
This should be the motto of the occupy wallstreet protests. This poem defines the change happening in our nation at this very moment, it is truely inspiring.
I will admit, I've heard the poem twice before. Now that I've heard a third time, its affect it has over me has a new sense of motivation. When Walt Whitman mentions we should never falter, I look at it these word in reference to my career goal as a Game Designer. The music that follows behind as the poem continues, gives me a greater sense of self motivation to never quit my dreams. No matter how difficult they may be.
@htex083 "Leaves of Grass" is Walt Whitman's only book. He revised it through out his life. The early coppies were thin and the later coppies fat. Get a fat copy im sure pioneers will be in there.
he forgot to mention displacing and killing thousands of native tribes. proud of pioneers now? i just think we should take this "with a grain of salt"
@thatkidvitya Okay, since you're such a saint, go live in Europe. After all, you live on "their" land. This is our land, the pioneers who stronger, therefor, they took more land.
To me this poem goes in to depth of what the American pioneer is like. It tells a story of what the men and women went through in the early years of America. Its like the poem motivates the Americans of today to respect those men and women of the past that fought to make America what it is today.
I can help feel proud to be an American when listening to this.
there all dead there is no pioneers if they seen what this country has become they would most likly kill them selfs kids have no respect and yes i know it my genration so ya well this great contry is going down hill and you know im glad then there well be a rebirth of pioneers the riots well come with the armor men stomping there boots on one side then all the rebels on the other with there bricks and bats yell,rawing ready to fight for what they belive with there flags in the air ready o pioner
@BrokenNeedle25 thanks i hope bye putting this up people well starte to get ready or try to stop it from happing but i truly hope that it will happen because history repeat it self the revotion i mean peace out and happy 420
@justlivelife420 "Beautiful that war and all its deeds of carnage must in time be utterly lost," -Walt Whitman, Reconciliation
Whitman would not support your ideas of violence and upheaval, nor do I, nor do the masses. Oh, you who seek to tear down what can still be fixed, you who seek to burn the world when the world is still being built. You are not a part of my America.
Walt Whitman turns in his grave over your vast disregard for the beauty of the English written word.
@CyraEm dame who know i would get somany replys from this dume comment ok yes i can see that we can repair this america but would the people that have the power to do so will they do it well they fix this ones great country or will we the people have to?
on a personal note i really dont give a fuck if im not in "your america" and that shit that walt whitman is turning over in his grave....ok that find but one thing why would he be turning over for some comment thats on youtube?
@justlivelife420 First off, you got two comments. Second, he probably wouldn't, it's hyperbole for effect and emphasis. Third, there are a lot of people trying very hard to fix the country and the world, but the fact of the matter is that it will not be fixed in a year, or an electoral season. The world is going to have good periods and shit periods, and the goal is to have an upward trend, a goal that we are achieving.
@CyraEm ok ok fine if it get you to stop commenting this comment or what ever and no im not dum i know theres people out there fixing the world for good but but as MY thanking goes i thank that there well be a revolt roit in the street and that sort of shit so YOU can go on with your life the path that you chosed and ill go on my ok
and i still love Walt Whitman work it great well as my last words peace out
@justlivelife420 You want rebellion and riot, but revolution historically has a piss-poor track record for solving conflict (see: France, Burma, the roman slave rebellion, the Irish in 1798, and so forth). You have every right to be displeased with the state of current affairs and you have every right to try to effect change, but don't you dare tout revolution as glorious. The outcome of revolution is bloodshed. To build countries and nations, you need diplomacy.
@CyraEm.wow your still fighting my god dame comments..ok well diplomacy well i have that but it not what most people have so ya and roits being "glorious" hell no it a last resort it not the frist thing i go for but it is a proud thang to fight for what you belive in and with that country shit dude i pretty much hate allmost all fromes of goverment not just the US so if your going to comment anyorther shit or if you keep this one going plz just send me a PM or something
Sad these people don’t exist today. You see it was beat out of them from birth in this generation and replaced with self-hate, false history and told they are “racist” and the problem to ALL the world’s ills for their pale skin and mere existence. Now America is slipping into a barbaric, self-hated, alien nation that resembles the third world.
is this poem about conquering or exploring? did whitman want to cultivate and bring "society" to the land, or did he just want to run through it but not disrespect it and it's natives?
This is very inspiring. Deep down inside we are all pioneers if we could only apply ourselves to the fullest. No matter what field you work or interested in, we could be a pioneer. Our technology, entertainment, life as we know it has evolved, because of an "idea" and a pioneer to execute it. I hope one day to be a pioneer and change the way the world sees things.
First things first... I cannot put into words how much this inspires me.
Second, everyone needs to chill out. So what if Levi used Pioneers! in their commercial? I hadn't heard of the poem before it and I'm sure other people can say the same... that doesn't make us stupid or illiterate. If we didn't care about it we wouldn't have taken the time to look it up and listen to the whole thing. Just relax.
Could the left and right and everyone else please unite against the corporate/bankster/gangster/warmongering elitist government and take this country back please? America is better than this. We deserve better and the world deserves better. Let's all converge on DC on July 4th this summer and roundhouse kick our way to life liberty and freedom. End the wars. End the fed, End the lies, end this goddamed bullshit!
I'm 18, a senior in high school, living with many who don't know Whitman, I have discussions with English teachers about him. Whitman Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week.
Yeah this poem is really inspiring, of course If I didn't see the Levi commercial I would have never even heard of it. I love the feelings this piece provokes, it makes me feel strong and part of something bigger than just me. It makes me feel like i'm not that alone which is saying something since I belong to a dead, bastardized race. My race is broken and in ruins and I feel i'm one of the few who are brave and strong enough to survive and fight for a better place for me and family. A pioneer.
@SKAman635 im not sure who your refering to, but i think it might be indians? they should of fought harder? i guess you feel the same about jews, that they should of fought harder against hitler and te nazi's? what white people did to indians was the american holocaust. the indians did nothing wronge, they were the ones getting there land invaded,a nd only retaliated to what the white people did, ad yes im white, and yes im part indian,
This poem is so inspirational in the fact that many people have no idea who or what the poem is meant to regard, and the fact that it was used in the Levi Jeans commercial.
I Don't care that Levi used this in there commercial because it Let people hear about the poem if it hadn't been for the commercial no one would have heard about this poem.I'm happy Levi used this poem for the commercial.
@4251paramore I agree! I've never given poetry much of my attention, but that commercial intrigued me quite a bit. Now, I don't even know. I'm just enthralled by this.
I love this peom. Unfortunately I did hear this from a jeans commercial but I love the parts when he's naming states because I'm originally from nebraska the heart of America but right now I live in Colorado.
Good presentation of a powerful poem. Thanks. The background music meshes nicely and I especially enjoyed the bird sounds!
I have to disagree with the majority opinion here: I think WW would have really gotten a kick out of both Levi's commercials using his voice. He was a huge self-promoter, including having his image on a brand of cigars. His poetic voice embraces such a plethora of things American, good, bad, and otherwise, that I think he'd like the commercials.
Nice job. The background music and bird noises work well with the poem. Great, powerful stuff.
I have no problem with these 2 Whitman poems being used by Levis on their commercials. Reading this and other Whitman poems, it is so clear that he was embracing or trying to encompass every aspect of American society, good and bad. I think he would have gotten a kick out of the commercials, actually!
Besides, if hearing these uncredited poems leads someone to read Whitman, then hurrah!!
@alldreamersunite Ya know, you couldn't be more right. This country is looked upon by other nations as sort of a "prima donna" nation. No values. No Reason. No Core Beliefs. I love my Country but I think that we're promoting the wrong image of what it truly means to be free. Then again every country is it's own and should develop a culture and/or style all it's own...the world shouldn't look to us to make it better, that would just bring about mayhem haha
This People is the TRUE AMERICAN SPIRIT OF US...not cellphones, cars, Ipods and iphones, Gaga and Beiber, Fancy clothes and malls..This is what we are: PIONEERS!! we are Adventurers. Explorers. We are PIONEERS. Many people have forgotten that including those that we call our "Leaders" on Capitol Hill. Anyone who is a true pioneer..Let's bring the American Spirit back and explore where it can lead us down the road so that we never disappear from this earth. PIONEERS O' PIONEERS..
@Thereisnomatter Very true, but I don't mean that we should be pioneers in terms of discovering land or adventuring the wilderness. I mean we can be pioneers as in contributing more to this world then entertainment, riches and other fancy things. At one point we were admired by the world. Now We're either feared [still a good thing] or despised by the world. We're gluttonous. I still love this country, but I think that we stand for more ya know?
@SoCoJags2290 Posessing technology and a music culture does not mean we have lost our exploratory nature. I don't think you realize the culture you live in. We grow up in a country that tells us that every single one of us is destined for greatness. All 6 billion of us is spectacular and individual and insurmountably different.
@SoCoJags2290 We're told this from birth, and that's what makes us mighty. That's why people come here. And that's also why we've been able to lead the world in technology, in agriculture advancements, in education and in music. It's why every child is born wanting to broadcast their thoughts and minds to the world. And it's fantastic.
@SoCoJags2290 funny you should say that..the very forest felling mine vexing and soil upheaval this poem celebrates is what helped us get to todays position where we could disappear from this earth. dont you think?
@BowskiBig You can mine, log, and farm without ruining the environment. Most modern corporations, however, either don't want to or don't understand this.
@SoCoJags2290 funny you should say that..the very forest felling mine vexing and soil upheaval this poem celebrates is what helped us get to todays position where we could disappear from this earth. dont you think?
@ganamoha Okay, it didn't deserve that response. But I've been looking through every youtube video I can find and they all have music attached to it. and I'm frustrated that I can't even just listen to his reading unadulterated
Anyone know where I can this rendition of the poem - with the background music?
Im really trying hard to find my classroom. I bought the one on itunes but it doesnt have the background music. Can you point me in the right direction or let me know how I can get it? even better, if you can send it to me? Sorry to bother. I think it'll have more of an impact on the kids with the music rather than without.
@diegoFsoto You can go to an online FLV converter, and simply download the track off of YouTube as an .mp4, .avi, .wav whatever output you are looking for. You can either google an online FLV (Flash Video File) website, or you can download your own FLV converters.
That would be your best bet, if your looking for this exact wording. Otherwise, simply youtube it in the classroom, and hook up an audio out device such as speakers. Let them listen to it.
I have to say, JDM, you did a FANTASTIC job adding in the music in the background. It really adds a LOT to the poem itself, and I'm very impressed. Fantastic job!
If you think about this there is no real way to have an adventure.....it talks about young youth and how we should go forth and live a free life....but no society say you cannot...you have to sit in your house...go to school....come home and do homework....and then repeat.....if i close my eyes and pretend i fell a little better on the inside
@lwolke8 You are free to do whichever it is you choose to do so. No one will ever stop you, but in the imagined constrictions that society places upon you, that are so deeply ingrained in our lifestyles.
Granted, Walt Whitman's "Pioneer! O Pioneer!" was written nearly 200 years ago, indeed in a different time and place, but there is absolutely NOTHING stopping you from getting $1,000 and leaving - going any which way you will, and doing anything you want.
@lwolke8 hmmm...I feel youth are confronted with 'the fierce urgency of now', every generation is, similiar to the uncertainty faced by youth on the cusp of the Civil War when this was written (1855)...your challenge is before you...to hell with what society says, what are YOU going to do? Pioneers! O pioneers!
@oldschoolruler i belive to have an adventure you have to pay alot of money to go of to exotic places...and plus if you watch the levis comercial they make it seem like a green world is waithing there but its really not
@lwolke8 it is not my intention to argue or even debate this issue with you...I only hope at some point (soon) you realizre that 'adventures' aren't based on how much or how little money you have, but on how much you are inspired to follow the words of Booker T. Washington, 'cast down your bucket where you are' and Ghandi, 'BE the change you want to see in the world'. Whitman spent a fair amount of his life with limited means, as have many true visionaries, both ancient and recent.
@mdog94: I agree with you mdog, but unfortunately these days it only seems as if everyone only cares about the mainstream media and stupid celebrity gossip. And unfortunately for this great poem to appear in a commercial is may be the only way for the Citizens of America to remember how We became and what We stand for.
I decided to do this for a school assignment, i have to memoirze it. Though maybe a little more work than other poems , and usualy this is against my nature to take this hard way out, i feel patriotic when saying this. like he truly made a difference .
It is sad that nobody thinks in this manner anymore. You never hear of these great literary achievements discussed in class except college. It's unfortunate that hardly anybody today can truly appreciate this.
Walt Whitman also wrote "O Captain, my Captain", which is about Lincoln's assasination, so i think this poem is written about western expansion. That was around the same time.
He died before that and no he is talking about manifest destiny. It was when we looked west and traveled there, unfortunately the consequences were the destroying effects on Native Americans. He was for the idea of Manifest Destiny until he realized what true damage was created from it.
@mdog94 I see where youre coming from however I feel this very fitting for levis. Had it been any other jean company, maybe even any other CLOTHING company, in the world I would have agreed with you, however I just feel Levis have been through this and were the jeans of choice by the western men when levis were first invented
I agree with laxer27. This poem was made about the same time that the idea of manifest destiny was going around and inspired people to move west. Also the gold rush happened soon after and Levi's were made for gold miners so...
@mdog94 I get what you are saying, but at the same time, think how many young people have been exposed to Walt Whitman because of it who wouldn't have been otherwise.
@mdog94 yet without that comercial most of the people who have listned to this poem would of never even discoverd it. i tahnk the comercial for showing it to me
@dunn5050 yes I totally agree. People blast commercials for using this, but they don't know it's the commercial that has opened up a whole new audience.
@mdog94 I first heard part of this in the Levi's commercial and helped me view it in new angles after I read it all and some background of the author! I don't think the commercial ruined it at all, it just gave it new definition. I prefer poetry trying to sell me stuff than brainless models.
@mdog94 The jeans have been a symbol of America for more than a century. You my friend are just angry to be angry... The poem was a good way to sum up levi jeans.
@Lor81294 i dunno. The commercials jsut made no sense. It was like the hyperboic form of any modern commercial. Some powerful gimic or visual followed by a random-ass brand name or slogan. I would have associated Johnny Walker's commercial with this, not Levi's shite.
@mdog94 On the opposing face of the coin, I didn't go out and buy a new pair of jeans when I saw this commercial. Instead, I went to the bookstore and bought a copy of "Leaves of Grass". Where I heard the poem is not relevant. That it moved and inspired me, is.
@mdog94 I actually liked the way the Levi's commercial depicted the poem. It was put together with beautiful cinematography of America and was Walt not the voice of America. Levi's is a pioneering American brand. To me it was nothing but good for the poem. It spread the voice of Walt to America's youth whom to me this poem was written for, America's adventuring, strong, willed youth. so with that said, why not?
@mdog94 The commercial cuts out so much of the poem that it comes off as promoting some sort of commie revolution. I'm surprised Glenn Beck hasn't made some tearful commentary on it.
@mdog94 but its the comercial that i have to thank for showing me this great peice, lots of people put lots of good things in comercials, theres nothign wronge with it,
@EvilChris2010 While I don't agree with you, I think the entire thing is incredible. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion and emotion felt by this, it is poetry, after-all.
Nice poem covers the essence of being a pioneer. Someone thats is the first to explore, settle, or build in new areas. Someone willing to create things new and bold. It covers the younger youth that adapt to new ideas and want to explore the world on their own. The passion for being a pioneer in you field of study or being someone who creates something for the world to see. Hopefully this video inspires others to be pioneers and explore new possibilities.
JohnHomeier 4 hours ago
this is so awesome
lordterk 4 hours ago
@Mistah0 People of older generations were taught to say Arkansas as AR-kansas. As someone who spends too much time around old people, I've picked up on it and now say AR-Kkansas as well.
vulcangrl13 3 weeks ago
Ar-kansas?
Mistah0 1 month ago
Everyone who is bitching and spewing political crap have missed the moral of the poem. The future is out there, it's ours, we need to continue on our journey through life despite the rough trails in front of us. The world was built with sweat, hard work, and heart, and that is how we must build the future.
hua15814 1 month ago 4
I still remember this from that pants commercial.
girguy101 1 month ago
ummmm... this guys got like a way to epic of a voice... lolz
purplekitten369 2 months ago
soo in conclusion. great poem, cool guy, some people disagree about what the takeaway or context is. im not here for conversation though so we can all stop replying to me? have a great life.
thatkidvitya 2 months ago
@thatkidvitya go hug a tree and cry bitch.
hua15814 2 months ago
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@hua15814 i hope you're proud of yourself.
thatkidvitya 2 months ago
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If you append the phrase “And not a single fuck was given that day” to the end of Walt Whitman’s poems, they make a lot more sense.
vex15423xum 4 months ago
This should be the motto of the occupy wallstreet protests. This poem defines the change happening in our nation at this very moment, it is truely inspiring.
datsquare 4 months ago
I will admit, I've heard the poem twice before. Now that I've heard a third time, its affect it has over me has a new sense of motivation. When Walt Whitman mentions we should never falter, I look at it these word in reference to my career goal as a Game Designer. The music that follows behind as the poem continues, gives me a greater sense of self motivation to never quit my dreams. No matter how difficult they may be.
Angelstar2035 4 months ago
Which Walt Whitman book is this poem from? I had noticed that "Leaves of Grass" is his most popular according to Barnes And Noble.
htex083 4 months ago
@htex083 "Leaves of Grass" is Walt Whitman's only book. He revised it through out his life. The early coppies were thin and the later coppies fat. Get a fat copy im sure pioneers will be in there.
wardnate90 3 months ago
Comment removed
armsofathief 5 months ago
he forgot to mention displacing and killing thousands of native tribes. proud of pioneers now? i just think we should take this "with a grain of salt"
thatkidvitya 5 months ago
@thatkidvitya i think someone needs to be curbstomped
BrigadierCalvet 3 months ago
@BrigadierCalvet whatever
thatkidvitya 3 months ago
@thatkidvitya That's natural selection my friend.
DarthEggplant 3 months ago
@DarthEggplant that's a disgusting view.
thatkidvitya 2 months ago
@thatkidvitya Okay, since you're such a saint, go live in Europe. After all, you live on "their" land. This is our land, the pioneers who stronger, therefor, they took more land.
DarthEggplant 2 months ago
i thank Harben for this
hvlopezlove 5 months ago
I cried when I listened to this. A good reminder.
armsofathief 5 months ago
did anyone else get chills?
xpf15 5 months ago
the rest on us depends....
CrashoftheConchords 5 months ago
The American Spirit is alive and well.. it's just in hongkong
Paremco 6 months ago
Modern U.S.A puts this song to shame.
IronSquid501 6 months ago
@IronSquid501 Just wait and see what happens.
armsofathief 5 months ago
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@armsofathief That... Has nothing to do with anything.
IronSquid501 5 months ago
Fucking self-centred U.S.A. Not even a natural country.
IronSquid501 6 months ago
@IronSquid501 Lol, obviously Russian.
iiDRiiZ 6 months ago
@iiDRiiZ Australian, actually.
IronSquid501 6 months ago
To me this poem goes in to depth of what the American pioneer is like. It tells a story of what the men and women went through in the early years of America. Its like the poem motivates the Americans of today to respect those men and women of the past that fought to make America what it is today.
I can help feel proud to be an American when listening to this.
Angelstar2035 6 months ago
Dear Walt,
I'm so glad you're not hear to see what the world has become. I wouldn't want to see you upset...
vulcangrl13 7 months ago
iam with you my brother till i die serving the american way
halo8885 7 months ago
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rivoluzioni.tumblr.com
This is a blog I made about revolution, politics, history and leadership. Check it out if you're interested.
FioreCampo 8 months ago
there all dead there is no pioneers if they seen what this country has become they would most likly kill them selfs kids have no respect and yes i know it my genration so ya well this great contry is going down hill and you know im glad then there well be a rebirth of pioneers the riots well come with the armor men stomping there boots on one side then all the rebels on the other with there bricks and bats yell,rawing ready to fight for what they belive with there flags in the air ready o pioner
justlivelife420 8 months ago
@justlivelife420 be hopeful for the journey at hand, pioneer, oh pioneer
BrokenNeedle25 8 months ago
@BrokenNeedle25 thanks i hope bye putting this up people well starte to get ready or try to stop it from happing but i truly hope that it will happen because history repeat it self the revotion i mean peace out and happy 420
justlivelife420 8 months ago
@justlivelife420 "Beautiful that war and all its deeds of carnage must in time be utterly lost," -Walt Whitman, Reconciliation
Whitman would not support your ideas of violence and upheaval, nor do I, nor do the masses. Oh, you who seek to tear down what can still be fixed, you who seek to burn the world when the world is still being built. You are not a part of my America.
Walt Whitman turns in his grave over your vast disregard for the beauty of the English written word.
CyraEm 8 months ago
@CyraEm dame who know i would get somany replys from this dume comment ok yes i can see that we can repair this america but would the people that have the power to do so will they do it well they fix this ones great country or will we the people have to?
on a personal note i really dont give a fuck if im not in "your america" and that shit that walt whitman is turning over in his grave....ok that find but one thing why would he be turning over for some comment thats on youtube?
justlivelife420 8 months ago
@justlivelife420 First off, you got two comments. Second, he probably wouldn't, it's hyperbole for effect and emphasis. Third, there are a lot of people trying very hard to fix the country and the world, but the fact of the matter is that it will not be fixed in a year, or an electoral season. The world is going to have good periods and shit periods, and the goal is to have an upward trend, a goal that we are achieving.
CyraEm 8 months ago
@CyraEm ok ok fine if it get you to stop commenting this comment or what ever and no im not dum i know theres people out there fixing the world for good but but as MY thanking goes i thank that there well be a revolt roit in the street and that sort of shit so YOU can go on with your life the path that you chosed and ill go on my ok
and i still love Walt Whitman work it great well as my last words peace out
justlivelife420 8 months ago
@justlivelife420 You want rebellion and riot, but revolution historically has a piss-poor track record for solving conflict (see: France, Burma, the roman slave rebellion, the Irish in 1798, and so forth). You have every right to be displeased with the state of current affairs and you have every right to try to effect change, but don't you dare tout revolution as glorious. The outcome of revolution is bloodshed. To build countries and nations, you need diplomacy.
CyraEm 8 months ago
@CyraEm.wow your still fighting my god dame comments..ok well diplomacy well i have that but it not what most people have so ya and roits being "glorious" hell no it a last resort it not the frist thing i go for but it is a proud thang to fight for what you belive in and with that country shit dude i pretty much hate allmost all fromes of goverment not just the US so if your going to comment anyorther shit or if you keep this one going plz just send me a PM or something
justlivelife420 8 months ago
@justlivelife420 Not trying to get into this argument but seriously speak in proper English it's annoying to read comments and half of it misspelled.
MrFonixMunky 8 months ago
@MrFonixMunky ya sorry and this argument has past and gone
justlivelife420 8 months ago
Pioneers oh pioneers
There is still place to roam
Up above our heads so high and mighty
To the stars, to the moon
All it takes is the will, and a flight
Pioneers oh pioneers
lets not cut out nasa...
rystify 9 months ago 13
Sad these people don’t exist today. You see it was beat out of them from birth in this generation and replaced with self-hate, false history and told they are “racist” and the problem to ALL the world’s ills for their pale skin and mere existence. Now America is slipping into a barbaric, self-hated, alien nation that resembles the third world.
GlobalMinority 9 months ago
Fuck levi jeans
F0wlPlay 9 months ago
is this poem about conquering or exploring? did whitman want to cultivate and bring "society" to the land, or did he just want to run through it but not disrespect it and it's natives?
poppinandrea 10 months ago
I LOVE the American spirit. This video is Perfect <3
canzi98 10 months ago
Call me stupid but what are pioneers
brenduhhize 10 months ago
@brenduhhize wikipedia[dot]org/wiki/Pioneer
Take your pick. This poem refers to American Pioneers though.
JimmyCougar 10 months ago
This is very inspiring. Deep down inside we are all pioneers if we could only apply ourselves to the fullest. No matter what field you work or interested in, we could be a pioneer. Our technology, entertainment, life as we know it has evolved, because of an "idea" and a pioneer to execute it. I hope one day to be a pioneer and change the way the world sees things.
cb21337 11 months ago
this is about America and Americans. we all relate we all are what he is describing
alxgc98 11 months ago
First things first... I cannot put into words how much this inspires me.
Second, everyone needs to chill out. So what if Levi used Pioneers! in their commercial? I hadn't heard of the poem before it and I'm sure other people can say the same... that doesn't make us stupid or illiterate. If we didn't care about it we wouldn't have taken the time to look it up and listen to the whole thing. Just relax.
Hekedotcom 11 months ago
Could the left and right and everyone else please unite against the corporate/bankster/gangster/warmongering elitist government and take this country back please? America is better than this. We deserve better and the world deserves better. Let's all converge on DC on July 4th this summer and roundhouse kick our way to life liberty and freedom. End the wars. End the fed, End the lies, end this goddamed bullshit!
TheTomBombadill 11 months ago
LETS START A FUCKING REVOLUTION AND SHARE BOTTLES OF VODKA
geekyt4 1 year ago 19
@geekyt4 I'LL BRING THE RIFLES AND JACK DANIELS
blorgyboy 4 weeks ago
The music really takes away from the performance. It's unfortunate.
TheFlyingWieland 1 year ago
The true anthem of the rebel.
I'm 18, a senior in high school, living with many who don't know Whitman, I have discussions with English teachers about him. Whitman Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week.
orcaloverbandgeek 1 year ago 3
Yeah this poem is really inspiring, of course If I didn't see the Levi commercial I would have never even heard of it. I love the feelings this piece provokes, it makes me feel strong and part of something bigger than just me. It makes me feel like i'm not that alone which is saying something since I belong to a dead, bastardized race. My race is broken and in ruins and I feel i'm one of the few who are brave and strong enough to survive and fight for a better place for me and family. A pioneer.
demariosworthit 1 year ago 2
I hope that when space opens up to us, we have this poem to help drive us.
Salem 1 year ago 4
you have to admit, that at least, it was a very well-shot commercial.
TheBarkeep13 1 year ago
Something tells me Native Americans probably don't think too highly of this poem... HAH!
TheDJMeyer85 1 year ago
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@TheDJMeyer85 They should have fought harder then. Fuck em.
SKAman635 1 year ago
@SKAman635 im not sure who your refering to, but i think it might be indians? they should of fought harder? i guess you feel the same about jews, that they should of fought harder against hitler and te nazi's? what white people did to indians was the american holocaust. the indians did nothing wronge, they were the ones getting there land invaded,a nd only retaliated to what the white people did, ad yes im white, and yes im part indian,
dunn5050 1 year ago
This poem is so inspirational in the fact that many people have no idea who or what the poem is meant to regard, and the fact that it was used in the Levi Jeans commercial.
Nesko79 1 year ago
OMFG ! this is soo amazing , it so inspiring and it just makes you want to march somewere
heartmulgrew15 1 year ago
amazing poem :P
and where did you get that backround violin!?
cofferson 1 year ago
This poem makes me take a rest from my daily worries and lets me be happy to exist.
Liynkx 1 year ago 3
Single greatest piece of poetry in history? I think so. (I'm a Brit too by the way)
ATOFilmsLondon 1 year ago 3
and then a wolverine can sneak in and steal the afterbirth!
migkillertwo 1 year ago
awesome stuff thanks for posting this!!
truthforrealtruth 1 year ago
I Don't care that Levi used this in there commercial because it Let people hear about the poem if it hadn't been for the commercial no one would have heard about this poem.I'm happy Levi used this poem for the commercial.
4251paramore 1 year ago 47
@4251paramore I agree! I've never given poetry much of my attention, but that commercial intrigued me quite a bit. Now, I don't even know. I'm just enthralled by this.
Shlovingit 1 year ago 2
@4251paramore i tripped out when it came out man, i was so full of emotion i yelled WALT WITMAN!!!!
Rising421 6 months ago
I love this peom. Unfortunately I did hear this from a jeans commercial but I love the parts when he's naming states because I'm originally from nebraska the heart of America but right now I live in Colorado.
indoorin 1 year ago
I listen to this post every morning...
toddmreed 1 year ago
Transcendentalism at it's best..
NavyAW2 1 year ago
Good presentation of a powerful poem. Thanks. The background music meshes nicely and I especially enjoyed the bird sounds!
I have to disagree with the majority opinion here: I think WW would have really gotten a kick out of both Levi's commercials using his voice. He was a huge self-promoter, including having his image on a brand of cigars. His poetic voice embraces such a plethora of things American, good, bad, and otherwise, that I think he'd like the commercials.
Traylorjim 1 year ago
Nice job. The background music and bird noises work well with the poem. Great, powerful stuff.
I have no problem with these 2 Whitman poems being used by Levis on their commercials. Reading this and other Whitman poems, it is so clear that he was embracing or trying to encompass every aspect of American society, good and bad. I think he would have gotten a kick out of the commercials, actually!
Besides, if hearing these uncredited poems leads someone to read Whitman, then hurrah!!
Traylorjim 1 year ago
I first heard it off the commercial, but after hearing it fully I feel it does not do it justice
Chuddley1 1 year ago
Music ruins it.
KillerLettuce 1 year ago
@alldreamersunite Ya know, you couldn't be more right. This country is looked upon by other nations as sort of a "prima donna" nation. No values. No Reason. No Core Beliefs. I love my Country but I think that we're promoting the wrong image of what it truly means to be free. Then again every country is it's own and should develop a culture and/or style all it's own...the world shouldn't look to us to make it better, that would just bring about mayhem haha
SoCoJags2290 1 year ago
Viva America!
canzi98 1 year ago
@mdog94 ya this has deep meaning why in the fuck would they out this ina jean commercial its revolting complete disrespect to the poem
techatechtonic 1 year ago
This People is the TRUE AMERICAN SPIRIT OF US...not cellphones, cars, Ipods and iphones, Gaga and Beiber, Fancy clothes and malls..This is what we are: PIONEERS!! we are Adventurers. Explorers. We are PIONEERS. Many people have forgotten that including those that we call our "Leaders" on Capitol Hill. Anyone who is a true pioneer..Let's bring the American Spirit back and explore where it can lead us down the road so that we never disappear from this earth. PIONEERS O' PIONEERS..
SoCoJags2290 1 year ago 69
@SoCoJags2290
The American frontier has been gone since the 1890 census.
Thereisnomatter 11 months ago
@Thereisnomatter Very true, but I don't mean that we should be pioneers in terms of discovering land or adventuring the wilderness. I mean we can be pioneers as in contributing more to this world then entertainment, riches and other fancy things. At one point we were admired by the world. Now We're either feared [still a good thing] or despised by the world. We're gluttonous. I still love this country, but I think that we stand for more ya know?
SoCoJags2290 11 months ago
@SoCoJags2290 Posessing technology and a music culture does not mean we have lost our exploratory nature. I don't think you realize the culture you live in. We grow up in a country that tells us that every single one of us is destined for greatness. All 6 billion of us is spectacular and individual and insurmountably different.
CyraEm 10 months ago
@SoCoJags2290 We're told this from birth, and that's what makes us mighty. That's why people come here. And that's also why we've been able to lead the world in technology, in agriculture advancements, in education and in music. It's why every child is born wanting to broadcast their thoughts and minds to the world. And it's fantastic.
CyraEm 10 months ago
@SoCoJags2290 funny you should say that..the very forest felling mine vexing and soil upheaval this poem celebrates is what helped us get to todays position where we could disappear from this earth. dont you think?
thatkidvitya 5 months ago
@thatkidvitya The soil we upheave does nothing to hurt the enviroment unless you do not seed fields with grass or other roots after harvest.
The mines we vexed gave jobs to many people in America. And the mines we vexed also provided the materials for the very computer you are using.
The forests we felled also provided the lumber for your home that you now comfortably sit inside as winter draws near.
How can you complain about those industries while benifiting from them?
BowskiBig 2 months ago
@BowskiBig we have to be most critical of the things we benefit from, keeping in mind we can't change the past. just offering a different view.
thatkidvitya 2 months ago
@BowskiBig You can mine, log, and farm without ruining the environment. Most modern corporations, however, either don't want to or don't understand this.
Ocelllian2 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@SoCoJags2290 funny you should say that..the very forest felling mine vexing and soil upheaval this poem celebrates is what helped us get to todays position where we could disappear from this earth. dont you think?
thatkidvitya 5 months ago
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU I fucking can't stand the fact you addes music to this!!!
ganamoha 1 year ago
@ganamoha Okay, it didn't deserve that response. But I've been looking through every youtube video I can find and they all have music attached to it. and I'm frustrated that I can't even just listen to his reading unadulterated
ganamoha 1 year ago
@ganamoha As much as I love this poem, I think the music adds to it. It just fits. I think of the song playing in my head when I read the poem.
vulcangrl13 1 year ago
@ganamoha i think it works
skinnyman1423 1 year ago
Anyone know where I can this rendition of the poem - with the background music?
Im really trying hard to find my classroom. I bought the one on itunes but it doesnt have the background music. Can you point me in the right direction or let me know how I can get it? even better, if you can send it to me? Sorry to bother. I think it'll have more of an impact on the kids with the music rather than without.
If you can help me out I apreciate it. Thank you.
my email: enzo8@aol.com
diegoFsoto 1 year ago
@diegoFsoto You can go to an online FLV converter, and simply download the track off of YouTube as an .mp4, .avi, .wav whatever output you are looking for. You can either google an online FLV (Flash Video File) website, or you can download your own FLV converters.
That would be your best bet, if your looking for this exact wording. Otherwise, simply youtube it in the classroom, and hook up an audio out device such as speakers. Let them listen to it.
Uberdw33b 1 year ago
this is a very powerful poem
rcwonka 1 year ago
This is currently my favorite poem as of an hour ago lol
It's so amazing!
violetsarntblue 1 year ago
this, in my opinion. is the best poem ever!
MrMagichobo21 1 year ago 2
I have to say, JDM, you did a FANTASTIC job adding in the music in the background. It really adds a LOT to the poem itself, and I'm very impressed. Fantastic job!
Uberdw33b 1 year ago
If you think about this there is no real way to have an adventure.....it talks about young youth and how we should go forth and live a free life....but no society say you cannot...you have to sit in your house...go to school....come home and do homework....and then repeat.....if i close my eyes and pretend i fell a little better on the inside
lwolke8 1 year ago
@lwolke8 You are free to do whichever it is you choose to do so. No one will ever stop you, but in the imagined constrictions that society places upon you, that are so deeply ingrained in our lifestyles.
Granted, Walt Whitman's "Pioneer! O Pioneer!" was written nearly 200 years ago, indeed in a different time and place, but there is absolutely NOTHING stopping you from getting $1,000 and leaving - going any which way you will, and doing anything you want.
Uberdw33b 1 year ago
@lwolke8 hmmm...I feel youth are confronted with 'the fierce urgency of now', every generation is, similiar to the uncertainty faced by youth on the cusp of the Civil War when this was written (1855)...your challenge is before you...to hell with what society says, what are YOU going to do? Pioneers! O pioneers!
oldschoolruler 1 year ago
@oldschoolruler i belive to have an adventure you have to pay alot of money to go of to exotic places...and plus if you watch the levis comercial they make it seem like a green world is waithing there but its really not
lwolke8 1 year ago
@lwolke8 it is not my intention to argue or even debate this issue with you...I only hope at some point (soon) you realizre that 'adventures' aren't based on how much or how little money you have, but on how much you are inspired to follow the words of Booker T. Washington, 'cast down your bucket where you are' and Ghandi, 'BE the change you want to see in the world'. Whitman spent a fair amount of his life with limited means, as have many true visionaries, both ancient and recent.
oldschoolruler 1 year ago
I'm using this for a school project on Whitman. Thank you so much! Great voice.
LesIsMore1375 1 year ago
The could have used it for a more....eh...important commercial.
H0YII 1 year ago
kellyanne oh kellyanne how much i love you
linkjmf 1 year ago
@mdog94: I agree with you mdog, but unfortunately these days it only seems as if everyone only cares about the mainstream media and stupid celebrity gossip. And unfortunately for this great poem to appear in a commercial is may be the only way for the Citizens of America to remember how We became and what We stand for.
wadegracia 1 year ago
the place I dance did this song for elite company
sefeny101 1 year ago
so some dance studio did this as there song but there was no background music
crybabby22344 1 year ago
0:34 = my favorite. really hits home.
BASSunlimited 1 year ago
How could he read this aloud if he wrote it in the late 1800's? I don't think they had they technology to record people speaking back then.
NazcarFanatic24 1 year ago
does not sound a bit like will geer
Dravenswraith 1 year ago
how do i put this on my ipod
trooperstlmo 1 year ago
can I get the mp3 to this? It's wonderful!
andballoons 1 year ago
By the way the music makes it much better to memorise.
logisysmax20 1 year ago
I decided to do this for a school assignment, i have to memoirze it. Though maybe a little more work than other poems , and usualy this is against my nature to take this hard way out, i feel patriotic when saying this. like he truly made a difference .
logisysmax20 1 year ago
THAT DRUM BEAT IS SOOOO DISTRACTING. Everything else is great, but that beat... dear god it's not even kept constant
ultranotadork 1 year ago
reminds me of reading the grapes of wrath in highschool. Maybe i should reread it.
mattymuchacho 1 year ago
It is sad that nobody thinks in this manner anymore. You never hear of these great literary achievements discussed in class except college. It's unfortunate that hardly anybody today can truly appreciate this.
timhoddangit 1 year ago
I think this is talking about manifest destiny
ix3an1me 1 year ago
pioneers wore jeans, so it makes sense
ricesniper 1 year ago
Walt Whitman also wrote "O Captain, my Captain", which is about Lincoln's assasination, so i think this poem is written about western expansion. That was around the same time.
titanictoneloc 1 year ago
when was this written ? im guessing the cold war cause he says western children. can someone tell me ?
brian101193 1 year ago
@brian101193 It was published in 1855.
HaruGlory68 1 year ago
He died before that and no he is talking about manifest destiny. It was when we looked west and traveled there, unfortunately the consequences were the destroying effects on Native Americans. He was for the idea of Manifest Destiny until he realized what true damage was created from it.
timhoddangit 1 year ago
Walt Whitman lived in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Kirk00077 1 year ago
@brian101193 cold war? hell no try 5-15 years after the civil war
anon666ify 1 year ago
@brian101193 cold war? hell no try 5-15 years after the civil war
anon666ify 1 year ago
@brian101193 cold war? hell no try 5-15 years after the civil war. its talking about western expantion and manifest destiny
anon666ify 1 year ago
This is such a moving piece of American history, and his voice just adds such depth to it. What a way to preserve history.
Utubefan358 2 years ago 80
This just sounds so moving and beautiful. Definitely one of the greatest poems I have heard and now one of my personal favorites.
SPARTAN158x 2 years ago
i hate how a fucking jean commercial uses this poem to advertise their clothing... it's such a abuse of a powerful piece of writing
mdog94 2 years ago 72
@mdog94 I totally agree!!! it was so annoying! How could they do that to such a great piece of work that has NOTHING to do with jeans?
sokwest 2 years ago
@mdog94 I see where youre coming from however I feel this very fitting for levis. Had it been any other jean company, maybe even any other CLOTHING company, in the world I would have agreed with you, however I just feel Levis have been through this and were the jeans of choice by the western men when levis were first invented
laxer27 2 years ago
I agree with laxer27. This poem was made about the same time that the idea of manifest destiny was going around and inspired people to move west. Also the gold rush happened soon after and Levi's were made for gold miners so...
RTBronx 1 year ago
Good point. One of my friends read this in class and said it was from the jeans commercial. It is ridiculous.
timhoddangit 1 year ago
@mdog94 its better than freaking miracle whip.
Levis is a respectable american brand.
Much are alike.
Miracle whip pisses me off like no other.
How do you make a statement by not using mayo?
mikelad777 1 year ago
@mdog94 I'm with ya and that ad sucked
Kingmoney1331 1 year ago
@mdog94 I get what you are saying, but at the same time, think how many young people have been exposed to Walt Whitman because of it who wouldn't have been otherwise.
cfmorr 1 year ago
@mdog94 yet without that comercial most of the people who have listned to this poem would of never even discoverd it. i tahnk the comercial for showing it to me
dunn5050 1 year ago 2
@dunn5050 yes I totally agree. People blast commercials for using this, but they don't know it's the commercial that has opened up a whole new audience.
killer1177 1 year ago 4
@mdog94 I first heard part of this in the Levi's commercial and helped me view it in new angles after I read it all and some background of the author! I don't think the commercial ruined it at all, it just gave it new definition. I prefer poetry trying to sell me stuff than brainless models.
violetsarntblue 1 year ago
@mdog94 i agree
rcwonka 1 year ago
@mdog94 The jeans have been a symbol of America for more than a century. You my friend are just angry to be angry... The poem was a good way to sum up levi jeans.
Lor81294 1 year ago 2
@Lor81294 i dunno. The commercials jsut made no sense. It was like the hyperboic form of any modern commercial. Some powerful gimic or visual followed by a random-ass brand name or slogan. I would have associated Johnny Walker's commercial with this, not Levi's shite.
BrigadierCalvet 1 year ago
@mdog94 and maybe you have forgotten the history of Levi's and the contribution it has had.
vegeta925 1 year ago 7
@mdog94 i agree completly
TheBLACKJACK8 1 year ago
@mdog94 On the opposing face of the coin, I didn't go out and buy a new pair of jeans when I saw this commercial. Instead, I went to the bookstore and bought a copy of "Leaves of Grass". Where I heard the poem is not relevant. That it moved and inspired me, is.
StellarSwarmMusic 1 year ago 5
@mdog94
It's brilliant marketing and advertising is what it is. Don Draper would be proud, lol.
musicladyd1982 1 year ago
@mdog94 Had it not been for the commercial, I and many others would not have heard it. So, I have to disagree with you, my good sir.
trexpan221 1 year ago 2
@mdog94 I actually liked the way the Levi's commercial depicted the poem. It was put together with beautiful cinematography of America and was Walt not the voice of America. Levi's is a pioneering American brand. To me it was nothing but good for the poem. It spread the voice of Walt to America's youth whom to me this poem was written for, America's adventuring, strong, willed youth. so with that said, why not?
whw524 1 year ago 4
@mdog94 well buddy, I would have never hear of this gem if it wasn't for that "fucking jean commercial"
Donte9235 1 year ago
@mdog94 Thank you.
mafistofun 1 year ago
@mdog94 The commercial cuts out so much of the poem that it comes off as promoting some sort of commie revolution. I'm surprised Glenn Beck hasn't made some tearful commentary on it.
vintagechica82 1 year ago
@mdog94 but its the comercial that i have to thank for showing me this great peice, lots of people put lots of good things in comercials, theres nothign wronge with it,
dunn5050 1 year ago
@mdog94
I would never have looked this up if I hadn't seen the ad.
loner1878 1 year ago
@EvilChris2010 While I don't agree with you, I think the entire thing is incredible. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion and emotion felt by this, it is poetry, after-all.
bruceconant 2 years ago