Thomas Gray: Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

This is, to my mind, the quintessential English poem written by the quintessential English poet, Thomas Gray (1716-71). I cannot regrettably append the full text since space limitations apply but the full text is freely available on the Net. I have omitted some of the verses from my reading, again due to lack of time allowed.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• thomas
• gray
• elegy
• written
• in
• country
• churchyard
• english
• poetry
• charles
• bryant
• spoken
• word

[Oxfordclassicjazz]

An amazing poem beautifully read...you could found a philosophy or a religion on something as deep and well expressed as this...but who needs either when you have a poetic heritage as profound as this?

[brychar66]

Many thanks...and I agree about our poetic heritage. Chas.

[written12]

A beautiful reading of a poem that children on both sides of the Atlantic no longer are taught. It has an incantatory quality that Charles brings out by close attention to the word music but without going overboard.

There's some Manley Hopkins sonnets out there he should get his voice around.

[brychar66]

Many thanks. I have done 'The Habit of Perfection'. But will certainly attempt the great sonnets. Charles.

[joebstarsurfer]

we are dust.

[yermakovaa]

This was a lovely read.

-17 year old high school kid

[memsermann]

Going to sleep!

[thatswhatsup9]

Magnificent poem and so well delivered. What is it about the English that makes their delivery so compelling?

[brychar66]

And thanks for subscribing! Keep in touch. Chas.

[megansspark]

you keep the poetry lover quite happy, Charles :) excellent as always