Anglo-Saxon Poetry: The Wanderer

The Wanderer

Translated by W. R Sims

Recited by Charles Bryant

Anglo-Saxon poetry can often be fairly maudlin. I have taken on when reading 'The Wanderer' the mantle of the bard. See him standing now in the fire-lit mead-hall surrounded by the warriors and their families and servers, dogs and cats and favourite pet ravens, well soaked with the beery libations, intoning his sad poem! Can't you just hear them all sobbing?

Of course, it is a heavily Christianised message, hence much of the morbidity; but also the mood is innate with these often glum fighters. Some people have put it down to the English weather! But oh, the sense of relief when the recitation is complete, the falling tears in the beer-horn; and then, by contrast, the knowledge that one is still alive, still among friends and family, still fairly hale and hearty. You always feel much better after a good old cry!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• wanderer
• anglo-saxon
• poetry
• charles
• bryant
• spoken
• verse
• performing
• arts

[willworkforwages]

An extraordinary performance. Gielgud would be envious.

[brychar66]

@willworkforwages Now you will make me blush Kes, from modesty of course! Love, Chas

[Sashadigsweed]

Chaz,, I love you dude, you rawk! Your commentary in the description is awesome. Indeed, nothing like a good old cry.

[brychar66]

@Sashadigsweed I love you too you rascal :) Hope you are well Sash!

[andrewnorris2]

I love AS verse, it is like an echo from a distant world that we can barely touch yet find extremely touching. Your gravelly voice lends authority to this piece. A joy, Charles, please continue.

[brychar66]

@andrewnorris2 I often felt as if touching that distant world in some of your own poetry Andrew. Many thanks.

[noelzia]

Thank you! This is very special!

[literaturechick12]

@Rexanglorum It's not the original Anglo-Saxon. It's a translation...

[Rexanglorum]

Unless one has formally studied Anglo-Saxon, that modern English speaker will not understand the majority of the words. Is this poem a tranlation into modern English, that deliberately chooses words that are only Saxon in orgin or has the author and/or translator deliberately choosen authentic Anglo-Saxon words which are cognates?

No matter what I like this gracefully sad and frosty piece. I am just puzzled how I can understand every single word, without any formal education in Anglo-Saxon.

[Bocktiggi]

the classic trollface

[GilesConradWatson]

This is a really masterful reading, and the subtle alliterations and rhymes suit your voice perfectly.

[brychar66]

@nicksynnz Oh dear I seem to have driven my audience to drink (see Ida below)! Много любви, Час

[brychar66]

@Idlinfarm Good health Beloved :)