Dangerous Dan McGrew Recited by Robert Service

[dlr4767]

Spent 3 years in Alaska [graduated from high school there]. This was always included each year in our Midnight Ball Game. Robert Service was a Scotsman and you can tell by his lilt. I like his Spell of the Yukon, The Cremation of Sam McGee, The Legend of the Ice Worm. Love the ending to this - and pinched his poke [the leather pouch filled with gold dust], was the lady known as Lou.

[TunnylaneTom72]

This is FANTASTIC!

For any Robert Service fan like me to hear the maestro reading his own poems is, well, unbelievable.

Any idiot who can only scoff at a reading like this is just basically a philistine.

Well done, gypo53.

Now I'm off to hear The Cremation of S.M.

Thanks

[wwwonderful]

Celt-Service ?

[CallOfDutyChan]

Is this really him? Amazing,

[Thaiexodus]

Beautiful. Not just a personal interpretation or a minds eye voice, but the man himself giving us the poem the way he intended it. Thanks much!

[jamieboy59]

not bad for a man whos started life as bank clerk in glasgow, but ilke mcpherson's last stand, after all we celts like a good rammy.

[MurrayanaTheSmoke]

sometimesyoumustsnow 

[MurrayanaTheSmoke]

sometimestoumustsy 

[wayneberkenkamp]

Negative cririsizem of an old man's recital of his own work is like comparing an old athelete. to a young one. Maybe in your case it's because you"re new at this, If this is the case, keep at it, you can learn a lot just by listening.

[duffy15]

bb i wish johnny cash had recited this one as well his recitation of sm mcgee was superb

[iltis1985]

anyone who doesn't like MR. SERVICE can come up to waterloo ont and kiss my sorry ass

[heres14ya]

How can anyone say this is poorly recited? This is the mans own words.

[awesley1]

Dangerous Dan McGrew?

The poem is named "The Shooting of Dan McGrew".

[anne5surf]

What a poem!...

"Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon was awful clear,

And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could HEAR;

With only the howl of a timber wolf, and you camped there in the cold,

A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world, clean mad for the muck called gold;

While high overhead, green, yellow and red, the North Lights swept in bars? --

Then you've a haunch what the music meant . . . hunger and night and the stars." *****

[DumblyBrilliant]

Not much has changed since 1907 except that women no longer just steal a man's poke of gold. They steal his house and his children too. I guess its true, if the truth be told, that they are all like a lady called Lou.

[loikjuyfe]

very badly recited.

[mhairibarry]

@loikjuyfe

everyone can be opinuated but I would think well about commenting on this Scottish poet,his age,his talent etc-its a classic you fucking idiot

[loikjuyfe]

i know an 83 year old man that can recite this 100 times better than this

[loikjuyfe]

@mhairibarry he sounds like he has something stuck up the hole.... my 83 year old neighbour RIP would recite it better on his death bed

[yachtabaco]

@loikjuyfe that'

s nice.

[Devilbabytales]

Long time Service fan, first time heard him.

Thank you very much.

[toeffifee]

Very cool. If been thinking about this for a long time and now found it :o) Thank you!

[JohnHasALongMoustach]

wow what a poem

great post thank you so much

[deliotk]

Whenever I hear or read this poem I see the warner bros. cartoon in me mind's eye. Bugs, Daffy, and what's his name -- with the big cowboy hat and the two six-guns -- in that saloon. I think Bugs Bunny was the stranger and Daffy Duck was Dan McGrew. Great cartoon. I wish it was here on youtube : )

[IrishFlukey]

@deliotk Maybe you've found it by now, but it is on YouTube. It is called Dangerous Dan McFoo. You will find it if you do a search.

[krimjest]

My father who died at the age of 95, would recite this poem often with much gusto. It's one great tale!! I have a book of Robert Service poems. "The Creation of Sam McGee is worth reading too.

[fargfour]

From the days before TV or Radio when story-telling was an art. People would spend time after dinner together. Imagine that. And Robert Service, the author himself, by heart no doubt!

[mejpye]

This is so cool! Thanks for posting it! :)

[dadhiltonmps]

Forced to listen / no images / best to close eyes & listen / similar to early days of radio. Like being told a story in a darkened mine shaft / unique method of telling a story. Rich visually arresting images told by a gravelly voiced poet that makes you feel what he speaks of in a graphic way. Story is told as if he is our Grandfather & we are the enchanted audience. Paints pictures with words, inflections & mood changes.

"cat"