Aubade read by Philip Larkin

[clownsandjugglers]

I have read this poem many times over the years, it is quite strange to hear how Larkin reads it. Not at all what I would have expected.

[bigjstokes]

nothing more terrible; nothing more true

[standswithawine]

Thanks for posting. Good stuff

[julesthemadman]

I got my answer elsewhere - it was one of a number of recordings done by Larkin in later life which came to light only comparatively recently...

[julesthemadman]

When was this recorded? I know Larkin recorded all his main collections (excluding The North Ship, 1945, reissued 1966), but was unaware he had recorded "Aubade", which was never collected in the poet's lifetime.

[MrTycho7]

How can something false be so beautiful? I disagree entirely with the nihilism underneath this poem, but have to admire Larkin's craft. What a joy it would have been for someone so sensitive to know God and his graces!

[MrDarkbloom]

@MrTycho7 'to know God and his graces!' Doesn't make sense

[MrTycho7]

@MrDarkbloom

Why doesn't it make sense?

[novadrian]

@MrTycho7 But truly sensitive poets, writers artists and scientists are not taken in by fairy stories of God and angels. The brightest souls among us see right through religious faith for the sham that it is. Thank God ha ha for Philip Larkin.

[MrTycho7]

@novadrian

Really? I can think of some bright souls who did believe in God. Dante, Shakespeare, Hopkins, TS Eliot, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy...the list is miles long. These bright people alleged no sham, why do you?

[rlathbury]

I love this poem, although I have never felt such a dread of death and am rather looking forward to it. I subscribe to the "specious stuff" the poem dismisses: "No rational being / Can fear a thing it will not feel."

[shovingwords]

my favourite Larkin poem. Thank you very much for posting this. Xx

[stevevandien]

@shovingwords Mine too. It is so powerful and beautiful:) --

[RossMcCague]

Nothing finer.

[badmuthahubbard]

Love it.

[CorporalNym]

So Beautiful.

[benno494]

Well Philip you know now whether your fear was rational or not - although i'm not sure worrying about it was worth the misery !

[LovingLifeandWords]

Fabulous.. 

[astrophonix]

Beautiful, wonderful words.

[Yorkmackem]

The abrupt ending, death. Shostakovich 14.

[badoombum]

blah, sorry for double post. There's no editing on youtube.

[badoombum]

I hate poetry being recited. It diminishes the effect, particularly of a poem like that. And the fact that the autohr himself read it in such a disinterested vioce, with such a lackadaisical attitude, makes me feel sick and betrayed.

[GRJones92hk]

@badoombum I get what you mean, kinda. I think it is good the way he reads it. He lets the poem, and the words do the work. He doesn't dramatise any of it. I think he realises that it is a primarily a page poem. That said, I'm with you on poems being recited generally.

[meanmrmustard89]

@badoombum I thought that was a fantastic reading. Perfect tone, for that particular poem! I agree with you on the vast majority of recitals though.

[badoombum]

I hate poetry being recited. It diminishes the effect, particularly of a poem like that. And the fact that the author himself reads it, and reads it like that, makes me feel betrayed.

[alsonross]

Red Cloth Series: Ross McCague (A tribute to Larkin)

[alsonross]

A perfectly gorgeous poem

[ybot1983]

None more black!

[saulhughes]

This is the endgame: there's nothing beyond this poem. Give me a fucking drink and quickly.

[jonno52]

Read this years ago but it never loses its impact. Terrifying is the word. I need a drink.

[mafting]

Absolutely effing terrifying.

[C0mfortablyDumb]

Heavy, heavy downer! Got to love Larkin.

[Sandheaver]

This poem has haunted me from the moment I first read it. Larkin describes the fear perfectly, with terrifying realism.

[MaximisedInsight]

Its poetry like his that lessens the fear. Or at least distracts. Less moth-eaten and purple than religion, I suppose.

[mfwettlaufer]

One of the most powerful poems ever written.

[purpledogstar]

genius!

[agent5000000]

@transonicbuoy1 - Bad poetry????? Are you mad???

[polemicbear]

I love how Larkin's phrasing is so simplistic yet it invokes such a large amount of complex and shattering ideas.

[ocleirigh86]

Brilliant, thanks for posting.

And with the words, too.

[reggaejuggler]

I'd love to hear Bill Nighy reading this ...

[dirtycelinefrenchman]

hey, thanks for totally bumming me the fuck out!

j/k

brilliant, absolutely fucking brilliant. not so much a "terrifying realistic dystopia" as a fact of life we all share in, fret over, and ultimately succumb to. Definitely not science fiction. Peace and love, if not an adequate defense against, nonetheless is the only worthy response to death's remorseless call. "Love is the only rational act," as Levine said, and you better believe it, bubba.

[KevBaz78]

Truly a terrifying realistic dystopia.

[redlarkin]

God, I wish I knew him. Everyday, I am grateful for his poetry.

[magslyfarnham1]

Genius.......I remember Philip at Hull University when I was a student.....he was the librarian and I used to see him around Campus and also shopping in Hull. I also used to have the same Doctor at the University medical centre (Dr Richardson).........the fear of death (and life) haunts Philip's work.............so sad that he died relatively young and of the cancer he so feared throughout his life

[bollockowithalob]

Hey, many thanks.