Dylan Thomas reads "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"

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A reading of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas.
The poem in full:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[@Renovator26]

I just passed my 90th birthday and I'm sure as hell not going gentle in that good night. When I'm feeling sorry for myself, I recite the first part and I, indeed, rage against the dying of the light. Those words put fire in my belly to face another day with fresh resolve.

[@whataheapofpish]

What a wonderful thing to read at 33. Good for you mate, I hope you're still here when i'm 50.

[@user-hx1nr9ru1p]

John Fisher Best of luck!

[@Renovator26]

Thanks everyone. It's been a great trip and I'm so glad we all met up along the way!

[@ShanOakley]

Mr. John Fisher, to the front of the classroom you go!

[@janisjoplin543]

Thank you for sharing this. I am 36 and sometimes feel like my best days are behind me.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

I love that he almost sings it. Incredible performer.

[@jlmurrel]

Exactly. A trait the Welsh were once well known for.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

SamWeller I see you are also a performer, because you are a clown.

[@concars1234]

It must be sung to be truly loved

[@zonforestmoua]

It really does; in fact, this is on my music playlist, just cause I enjoy his enunciated and theatre voice.

[@timoneill4347]

Ohh fuck yeah

[@RobertKubarych]

A poem needs to be heard, not read. Here is one of the greatest poets of all time reading his own work. How blessed we are to live in this day and age. Relish it.

[@martingormley6024]

well said mate!!

[@RobertKubarych]

Cheers!

[@douglasrifeediting]

This and Howl are two poems that need to be heard before being read. I'm glad Christopher Nolan put this in Interstellar, because even though I'm an avid reader, and a huge fan of poetry, I'd never read this one. I feel like Nolan featuring it in his movie had led to a lot of new fans of this great poem, which is great!

[@before120]

Robert Kubarych i agree, well said my friend.

[@tommypayne1980]

Yes poetry should be spoken but also read so as to let the reader reflect on meaning of the poem and let it lament into ones soul.

[@jeannetteaskew8414]

I think this poem has endured because it resonates with all of us, who are born to die.

[@charityburd8097]

we are all born to die.

[@qualo99]

we are all going to die so we should "rage" with our life force and passions whilst we can.

[@TheSaltydog07]

Death will come whether you rage or not. (Written on a cold, dark day.)

[@thanbutt1234]

its how we embrace it

[@mimilovehealth8605]

We are here to learn how to really love and live.

[@kya169]

As a sister to a recently deceased brother dead at the age of 31, this poem resonates through me with an intensity I've not experienced before - Kristopher was a good man, but fell prey to his inner demons and alcoholism, and went away in pain and broken, but he never bowed down and gave up - he fought to the bitter end, and though he did not win, he raged against the dying of his light Rest in Peace Brother, you are missed dearly

[@eileenmacdougall8945]

💓.

[@alfmac7886]

Heartbroken.. I also lost my best friend to alcoholism, watching someone you love struggle with inner demons is excruciating..

[@elit3268]

I’m sorry for your loss

[@leemanruss6724]

I imagine this resonates to many different moods and thoughts, but i always felt like this was meant for us alcoholics. On the wagon or not, I always feel this pride and rage calling me.

[@chriswoodson5075]

@@mwills464 So sorry for your loss

[@ingeborg-anne]

How lucky are we that this recording exists? It's so gorgeous! What a treasure it is. Thank you so much for sharing

[@censusgary]

I heard this recording when I was about 19. Now I’m hearing it again at 61, and it has a hundred new resonances for me.

[@mkmllrc]

Gary Cooper Had you enjoyed all of your life?

[@ChrisJones-ij3xp]

My father had this on a vinyl record. When I left home, I took it with me. He didn't mind or miss it, for despite being born and raised in Wales (Llanidloes), he isn't a huge fan of Thomas. "A Child's Christmas In Wales" he loved, and this one of course, but not much else.

[@Panoramav8]

The beauty of being able to be born while some die and being born to die. To rage against staying longer under the light. I love Thomas

[@Meathcat]

I read this at my Dad's funeral in 2015 (eulogies weren't allowed in this particular Catholic diocese) because it completely summed him up. He spent his whole life burning and raving and did not go gentle, ever!

[@dylant8110]

Proud to be named Dylan Thomas

[@dylanezell1423]

Dylan Thomas same here. :)

[@AlrightReally]

Yup

[@myfragilelilac]

Really haha? 😂😂

[@btgkg9639]

My sons name

[@mikeaudette2823]

My son's first and middle names

[@jopeace8154]

It sounds like he's singing and it's beautiful.

[@LlibertarianGalt]

Being from Wales during what was a very peak time of coal mining, it'd be no surprise if he grew up in a mining village and was part of the village choir.

[@spectralmelodies5979]

I love that you hear it too.

[@aldobenitez]

ttlly

[@ticketyboo2456]

@@LlibertarianGalt Not a mining village more a fishing 'village'. Swansea or more accurately The Uplands. The accent is much nicer than the harsh Rhondda ( coal mining part of Wales ) accent. Read or listen to his work Under Milk Wood.

[@imbewitchingyou]

My father tried to sound like him when he would read poetry. RIP Papa ❤️

[@laurieroemmele9091]

This was my late Father’s favorite poem. He literally hung out with Dylan Thomas in Greenwich Village in the 1950s bars to listen to him read his poetry. My Dad died 20 days after his birthday in October 1995. I gave him a simple gift printing out this poem with some pictures of him that I liked. He was a writer and put my simple gift near his typewriter. His last column was about this poem. The column was printed the same morning he died. No one knows how God put all of that together. So this poem will live in my soul forever. I still have that simple gift I gave him. I just don’t think that was all a coincidence. Thank you for making me remember this today in 2020!!!!

[@hanszlh6522]

to be cherished for-evver - and to be grateful for always

[@stephanieolmedo2435]

My grandma died today @ 94. She was the toughest person I've ever known. I feel like this poem is an embodiment of her battle with death.

[@trinitywarden3527]

Oh I'm sorry dude ik I'ma year late but I'm sorry for ur loss

[@tonyavan1379]

His voice makes his poetry come alive.

[@robertpayne4435]

This might be the most brilliant..honest..emotional thing ever created. You can't fake this. You know if it's raw.

[@patriciamcgreivy3774]

Yes, beautifully raw.

[@sarahnassar9427]

I love how gentler his tone becomes when he addresses his father

[@ChronicBurnout]

I'm going through some things right now, both physically, and as a consequence, mentally. But even when things are just getting worse, I suddenly remembered this poem right now. I'm glad I searched it up, because even as my pain worsens and there's no good end in sight, it reminds me that I don't have to just give up on life. It's not futile, and it's not foolish. No matter how much time any of us have left, we can all garner inspiration from this wonderful piece, and we can all come to the realization that we don't have to go gentle into that goodnight, and that we can rage against the dying of the light. If life gives us a curveball, we don't have to just take it as it is. I'm typing this, you're reading this, because we're still here, and we can make sure we're the ones controlling the quality of our short lives. Why have self-pity and spend days at a time in bed when I could take the time I still have and live a little? Maybe nothing too extravagant because of how much I make, but just maybe I can do the things I've been wanting to do but haven't. Spend time on the road, finally visit a beach, or go to Olive Garden (okay, I never did much, but the little things are what get me most excited). I don't know, but I feel like now I can see some reasons to get out of bed on my days off, maybe take out lots of PTO. I just don't want to be remembered as the one who was too busy at work to take better self-care of himself

[@AKAPOWER]

Damn goodluck

[@janedieuart]

This is beautiful. Go to the beach. Live, live live while you still can. Sending you love.

[@michaeldeane6600]

Good luck to you and thank you for your wisdom. You are absolutely right & I will try to live by your wise words!

[@Christopher070]

Reading your post tonight helped me. Thank you.

[@jdmarr2259]

I hope this reply finds you having done some of the things you wanted to & still fighting the good fight.

[@Vassiliadis504]

Thank you Dylan Thomas for dedicating this poem to his father, but for the impact it has had on the millions of ears who have read or heard this profound poem.

[@trinitywarden3527]

He died like 30-40 years ago

[@Vassiliadis504]

@@trinitywarden3527 How does your statement change my comment in the slightest? If Dylan Thomas didn’t dedicate this poem to his father, none of us would of ever heard it.

[@trinitywarden3527]

I was just saying that he isn't able to see this thank u but it's really appreciated thanks I'm just now learning Abt him in school

[@Vassiliadis504]

@@trinitywarden3527 Sorry, I didn’t mean to jump on you like that. You are right, he isn’t able to see this. If only he knew how much this poem would make others feel just as comfortable as he made his father feel. Writing is a wonderful thing that stands against the tests of time. Keep up the hard work in your studies. They will pay off in the long run.

[@trinitywarden3527]

Thank u and its ok have a great day

[@timesfire]

What a beautiful, melodic tone he had. Rich and sonorous. One could imagine hearing this while sitting next to a fireplace on a Winter evening.

[@yoshidababies4222]

I confess that I did not know this poem before today, despite being Welsh myself. I heard it in the movie Interstellar that I'm watching and had to seek the entire poem. It brought tears to my eyes, and what a treasure to be able to hear it read aloud by Dylan himself.

[@carolking6355]

One of my favourite poems 65 years ago and hearing it now it is even more important. What a beautiful voice he had. Thank you for putting that on.

[@John-mf6ky]

I love all the good vibes in this comment section, it gives me hope. I may have never met you, but I love you all. Life is so beautiful, even if it's a tragedy. The most sacred gift. I'll be damned if I don't go out fighting.

[@benjones4389]

My grandfather , who raised me , was so full of life as he died , he was so full of potent life , and I read this poem all the time to reconnect to him , who captured that essence of passion so well. But it’s a sad thing to see someone so alive to be dying

[@BarbaraSchmidt-yw2yo]

Your feelings for your Grandfather makes him bigger; stronger & keeps him with you & with us. You are so worthy of our love & respect for sharing him with us. Thank you. ❤🎉🎉

[@AnnetteLynnG]

I love this! Only he knows the depth and passion these words came from. No one else could ever do it justice. His Poem. His Words. His Voice - read, spoken as only he could. Perfect!

[@AnnetteLynnG]

Isabelle Smith Exactly! I completely agree! To say someone could do it better is to say his words, his thoughts his feelings belong to someone else. He read it exactly how it is supposed to be read. Some people obvioulsy do not grasp his accent, which brings it more deapth. Perfection! My favorite too!

[@berniehill5246]

Just like the other Dylan.

[@michaelsternberg7320]

I knew and thought I appreciated this poem as a teenager when I first read it but to truly appreciate and understand it, it took facing my father's passing.

[@paintedpony2935]

My condolences on the loss of your father.

[@michaelsternberg7320]

Laurie Cloonan thank you

[@marktownsend4582]

There is something hypnotic about his deep Welsh Voice that resonates as he reads his own written words.... Fabulous

[@DieFlabbergast]

There is absolutely NOTHING Welsh about his voice. Not a trace of a Welsh accent. Judging by his voice, he could have been born and bred in a middle-class family in southeast England.

[@marktownsend4582]

@@DieFlabbergast You clearly do not have a single clue of what you're talking about... He's a Welshman with a Welsh accent.... YOU.may not recognise it, . But that's your issue......A lovely West Walian accent...

[@shevetlevi2821]

This poem reminds us everyday to spend our time well, right up until that last good night.

[@mossadhunter1361]

With all my scars and I have a LOT, This poem has summed up my 40+ yrs. absolutely beautiful 💐

[@charityburd8097]

my father just passed away and first i thought about was dylan thomas. and he raged.

[@qualo99]

Charity Burd did it give you strength?

[@paintedpony2935]

Condolences to you on the loss of your father. Congratulations to you for knowing a brave, strong man.

[@crazysoupforever]

I have always loved this poem since we studied Dylan Thomas in English Literature at school. This is the first time I have heard it read by the man himself. He had a wonderful voice.

[@Martin-tn5lm]

I was introduced to this great poem and poet in my teens by an inspired and inspiring teacher. I'm 70 now and Irish. She also brought me to the WWI poets and many more - including Yeats, of course. Thank you, Dylan Thomas, you are the pride of Wales, I'm sure.

[@timphillips9954]

Great Welsh accent, like Richard Burton.

[@sterphd4716]

Not going to lie I found this poem in the matched series of books about four years ago and since then I have been obsessed with this poem. I love how everything flows together and the grand meaning behind it

[@Duncanforbeshendry]

Dillian thomas

[@headron66]

@@Duncanforbeshendry No Dylan Thomas. Hope that helps.

[@janej3883]

Same here! and I find that line running through my head at random moments. I love how it's tied to that story and in a way found new life.

[@RealDystopianFrog]

Yes, everybody should read the Matched series.

[@Chrismacleod777]

What a beautiful poem! Always reminds me of my father and how, in the end, he didn't rage enough at the dying of the light! Makes me weep!

[@rickpaschall1580]

The first time I heard this poem was in a Rodney Dangerfield movie. Still, so moved I followed it to author and opened a door to Dylan Thomas. To hear the poet grieve in such a way gives me courage to meet my own end. Wonderful recording.

[@ThirdEngr]

You got it admit though Rodney did a great job.

[@theother9941]

It sounds to me like he is talking to a loved one on their death bed, imploring, begging them to fight death with all their being, to not succumb to death's warm embrace. Beautifully read, it sounds in parts like he is singing the poem.

[@AllenaVastgota]

TheOther99% Don’t be fooled. Death’s embrace is assuredly not “warm”. It is a creeping cold beginning with the extremities - feet, hands, legs - as the body fights to protect - for as long as possible - the few vital organs needed for life. As witnessed at many deathbeds.

[@ruffsnap]

I would love to hear Michael Caine recite the whole poem! "Rage against the dying of the light." Has become one of my all-time favorite sentences now. Holy fuck can language be intense and amazing sometimes!

[@martingormley6024]

you do know its his poem???

[@ruffsnap]

martin gormley Yes, I know it's Thomas's poem, but hearing Michael Caine recite part of it in the Interstellar movie trailer was really awesome, he has a great voice. There's nothing wrong with hearing a poem reinterpreted by another speaker :)

[@johnallen3297]

Amazing words...

[@Petteri82]

I absolutely love the poem but really, I would probably listen to Michael Caine recite the phone book.

[@Davotheledge]

God yes. I first read this poem last night, and thought I might even have a dream/nightmare about those words.

[@outlawmann8636]

Hunter S. Thompson said something similar: Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride! " Hunter S. Thompson

[@sharonroy2645]

How very cool of you to have remembered that.

[@leedennehy5077]

Thompson was right

[@balucious]

He also said, 'Dogs fucked the Pope, no fault of mine...orders from Captain Zeep!' Make of it what you will, I have no input.

[@poppyfield1619]

I love that!!

[@studebaker4217]

Thompson killed himself - so he decided he was "all used up", presumably?

[@stevehelton997]

My Mom fought to the end , it was frightening. She was from that great generation.

[@nzingalloyd2978]

My daddy use to play this poem on the 45 and it put me to sleep. Thank you for this.

[@leemitchellmusic]

To me this poem is all about realizing that one's potential has not been reached. At the end of life, realizing that life is fleeting and once nearing its ending that there really is not enough time to squander, if wanting to achieve. I believe that one really has to be satisfied with one's achievements and be proud that one actually achieved anything! I remember reading something that Nietzsche remarked upon...I'm gonna paraphrase...that there are millions of geniuses... but those that are known to us are known because they grasped their moment in time and fulfilled a potential. Now, I don't know if that is actually the case, but it sure is an interesting statement. And this sure is a beautifully sad poem. "And you, my Father, there on the sad heights..curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray..." A beautiful oxymoron only Shakespeare is comparable to...Just my opinion...

[@lisanealy1703]

Your opinion is poetic⚘️

[@KYHAWAII215]

As I previously could only write one word, this deserves so much more. I’ve worried by grandchildren, being of the newest generation, would not know the beauty of the mind. How could I sell them short. This and other great works are here and will survive and rage. ❤️

[@Pooknottin]

I can only hope that I have it in me to rage against it when the time comes. Thanks for posting this. Dylan is my favorite poet.

[@rapcat1271]

the time is among us now

[@paintedpony2935]

Don't wait. Rage daily.

[@brackleypartners3712]

When you realise this is a poem about his father who was going blind, the words take on a completely different meaning.

[@111Benzie]

There is more to it then just that.

[@garybernstein3527]

it was a poem about his father , woman be known to his father had just been diagnosed by a doctor with terminal cancer . Dylan Thomas always read his poem to his father as soon as he wrote them, except for this one because no one wanted to tell the father that he was dying of cancer

[@LeeMitchellAcoustic]

So beautiful. And extremely sad and so profound....

[@alanhodge8200]

I am 66 years young still ride my Triumph, BSA, Norton vintage bikes as fast as I can age is from the neck up

[@threepot5874]

Well said Alan,from another Triumph rider!😊

[@cynthiamadrid1430]

I don't go gentle into anything..... Thank YOU Dylan Thomas

[@101jaycam]

the young rage against the machine with all the vigour of youth while the old rage against the dying light with all the dignity of the ages

[@coreycox2345]

the dying die

[@harcoo8544]

im listening to this while playing minecraft

[@seansmith3058]

Well said.

[@peace-yv4qd]

I'm 75 and one of my great regrets is not getting to really know my father. Sharing a glass of whiskey and having a heart to heart. He died suddenly at the age of 50. May 15th 1969. I live alone and have very little contact with my children. But I persevere knowing that life is a gift that must be cherished.

[@Jnlcvdbsch]

Well said, hope all is well!

[@Anonymous-sb9uh]

My father is just a little older than you. He is in another country. We are not very close but I need to make effort to spend with him and my mother also (who is 10 yrs younger).

[@nilepax8168]

Words are the daughters of heaven. Things are the sons of earth. Glad you got here at last been waiting ages for you x

[@lauratantos2490]

This poem always draws tears from eyes along with inspiring a myriad of emotions. I had breast cancer twice in the past four years, and when I feel like life’s stressor are about to engulf me, I listen to Dylan’s melodic recitation of his poem.

[@hanszlh6522]

- have - still , a year later - i hope and wish for you - a good life , the BEST You could possibly live and All the Happiness Your Heart can handle ... Please !!!!!!

[@stellaercolani3810]

My mom too fought it until the end. With tears on the side of her beautiful blue eyes she said: 'I'm afraid'. 😭😭😭

[@glendamiller327]

Its beautiful , I'm not ready to leave earth without love and loving another. So I will shout in written words as I must.

[@kyliejones8827]

My mum of 92 died a week ago. This video has just turned up in my feed. It's so relevant. I would love to have read it at mum's funeral but doubt I would have got beyond the title before weeping!

[@Alemayehu45]

What I hear is the passion of a man singing from his heart.

[@c.coleman2979]

Like all great works of art it has many meanings on many different levels; yes, it is about an old man dying, but it adapts itself to each listener's own experiences; it can even be interpreted on a political level.

[@kaiholtan6763]

According to at friend of mine, the theme of the poem is his father's impending blindness. (D.T. himszelf pointed out that.) But of course it has levels beyond that.

[@surality]

The light and dark of spirituality, good and evil.

[@Johan-vk5yd]

Very good point! A good poem appears to me as a very exact description that can take on many meanings, because its true in its specificity! The unity of the Universe and all that, you know..

[@jimhart2917]

The quiet reading, I gather a greater power than some shouting of the words. Measured words, they Rage against the dying of the light. I have heard these words spoken at 6 am in a damp Philadelphia morning, my wife still snoring. Rage.... Against the dying of the Light. Amen.

[@qualo99]

Jim Hart I like the mention of a higher power. Makes sense to me. He is warning us not to mess up and waste life. Whilst comforting us that there is also a unifying force. The force is us and how we are similar and prone to similar thoughts.

[@sandraparsons1183]

Sandra Parsons 1 second ago I felt RAGE of watching someone going into the good night. My own Heavenly Poems remind me of their memories. The deepness of his voice makes the emotions come to life. Beautiful work!! Another loved one - did not go gentle into the night - they returned back - into the Light.

[@jlmurrel]

No doubt Thomas was Welsh - listen to that musical intonation in his Welsh accent!

[@clarebear764]

Some of that, but I also thought he was vocalising the fine line between poetry and song.

[@pentuplove6542]

Ofc he's a Celt and Welsh too.

[@michealsweeny3610]

With the name Dylan Thomas you’d have to be he had a house laugharne

[@eccehomer8182]

Being Welsh makes buggerall difference! ;)

[@DieFlabbergast]

That is NOT a Welsh accent; not in any shape or form. It's a mid-20th-century, middle-class English accent. Thomas was a Welshman by birth and upbringing, but Welsh culture plays little part in his work.

[@stol2]

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light" Just wow... So beautiful

[@themangomanjuice]

I always love revisiting this over the years.

[@courtney7459]

I remember having to listen to this poem in my sixth grade english class. i didn't cry, but something about it stuck with me. several years later and i'll never forget that day

[@JustBach]

Same here. It was a high school class, and I never forgot it. I saved it for the day my father would die, which was yesterday.

[@m4lapointe]

Almost a song. It is beautiful, thank you!

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

Always maintain the rage. The rage against injustice and all that man had spoiled.

[@carlosc.1568]

Thank you for the anti-human comment. The man was referring to the unknown

[@henrynelson176]

what?

[@sarakirstein70]

I think this is a fair interpretation. Do not go gentle... don’t just let life happen and then end. Make your life worth something, rage for something worth your precious time.

[@MrSafer]

Every time i want to think about my father i think upon this poem. Without fail it brings back a flood of memories.

[@vespadavidson2315]

I spent an afternoon with a lady who was his friend when he was in Laugharne, just days before she died. Wonderful to hear her talk of him. Her memories pure poetry.

[@SC14922]

@Colin Whyles Yes, thank you, this is a poem (literally) about his father's blindness. It may also be a possible launching point of departure into further inquiry... into my own blindness. To me it's a gentle tap on the shoulder, or fiery kick in the seat, as the need may be, to WAKE UP and seize the day/moment/life... whatever that may mean to each of us. This pandemic-pause has been provoking me to reflect and act on this.

[@amoghskulkarni]

It will send shivers down your spine if you really listen to it. Only purest of the pure things can do that.

[@jerryg3524]

One of the great masterpieces of all time read by the genius who wrote it, what a treat! But I won't rage against the dimming of the light, just thank God for the good & wonderful things of life

[@pauljolliffe981]

I read this and many of his poems in 67-68 still have these books and remember this one as one of my favourites. I will rage against the dying of the light!

[@Sivos909]

I just can't stop hitting repeat on this.

[@glindathegoodwitch3385]

Sivos I had the same experience.

[@shill1444]

Yo, it's the cadence and delivery of the words. Shit is powerful to those willing to see words hit with might and worth.

[@secondstring]

Yeah, likewise. Am looking for a way to loop.

[@oilaum8811]

Thank you for posting - fascinating to hear the voice of the poet himself, speaking to us (as it were) from the grave! Also very interesting to hear how he meant it to sound. Above all, most amusing to read how het up people still get over the man and his work, the dos and don'ts of poetry, as well as "how things should be read". Have people forgotten that poetry is all about expression? Let it be read, however the reader will; if the listener hear, let him be still. Peace out (",)

[@Juan_Alvaro]

Just speechless; when everything's been said allready... Awesome this amount of precisely pronounced consonants!

[@lindaevans6836]

Ooooh. Such inspiration for my book. Learning of terminal disease but being able to grab the positive moments in life. A book I’ve always wanted to write and so I shall. “The suits of expectations” are of life’s journey but with no expectation when that day finally falls.

[@paddyoclown]

dunno about the rest of ya but this hits a very deep note with me

[@jonzstarvision7831]

Everything about this piece is perfect. I absolutely love the symphony in his voice as he reads. Perfect perfect perfect.

[@deckiedeckie]

One of the few poetry pieces that never fail to soften my heart....

[@brettb9194]

why? it is nonsense written by someone who drank himself to death at age 39 have you *seen* old men raging against the coming of the night?! how about a little serenity.

[@jakebetts2885]

I've always loved poetry. This is the most profound and self enlightening words spoken I've ever seen written or heard. Truly inspiring

[@akf2000]

This is just stunning.

[@kevinw9073]

One of my favorites from High School 50 years ago!

[@dodger5660]

Kevin W 50 years ago for me also 😬

[@johnbatch9276]

This is a profound poem it is a poem for humanity and in the final reckoning we all shall face that final goodnight Dylans reading of his own composition is masterful and adds a dimension to it

[@lisanealy1703]

I listened a second time and concentrated on his voice and emotion and the tears 😢 started......

[@TheSaltydog07]

What a beautiful voice he had. I love this site.

[@pauldavis9657]

The poem is in memoriam of his late Father who died in great pain and suffering after spending his life working in the coal mines of Wales, and Dylan Thomas' anger that he never got to talk to his Father about anything of great import. It is an inspirational work intended to encourage others to talk openly with their parents before it is too late. It is also a dark warning to those who don't of the regret, guilt, anger and self loathing that they will feel as a result of not doing so. It's a quid pro quo. Not a message to the Ego.

[@judithhopkins3457]

Apparently it was written before the death of his father. But still about him they say I gues

[@jennieazak6724]

Wasnt his father an english teacher?

[@ticketyboo2456]

Don't think his Da' was a coal miner...

[@debraricci6227]

So then why am I reading it's about his father going blind?

[@majorlaff8682]

@@ticketyboo2456 Richard Burton's Da was a coal miner. Burton often recited Thomas' poetry.

[@lightbox617]

I have never heard thomas perform this. I'm amazed. Thank you for posting

[@adamkondracki3201]

One of the last things my dad heard me read to him before he passed away...Gone way too soon..Ill love you forever Pop. Until we meet again..

[@crazysoupforever]

And you will.

[@tutaviajando]

"You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Betty Smith."🩶🩶🩶

[@gearldwood7658]

I just read this quote a day or two ago. Reassuring, the fire is alive in that person.

[@libertygiveme1987]

"RAGE, RAGE AGINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT"! ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@patchdavis35]

There are lyrics in the old New Orleans song Let the Good Times Roll: "You're only here once, and when you're dead, you're done, so let the good times roll." I'm still trying to work out the math in the lyric, "I've got 50 cents more than I'm gonna keep!" RIP BB KIng!

[@franknberry6397]

Wow I've heard others recite this, but this is by far the best.

[@anonymousaccordionist3326]

To be honest, I couldn't finish it. In my opinion it was an awful recitation. The man wrote an incredible poem, but he certainly didn't recite one.

[@spikemufc]

It is exactly one year today since my father passed away. I asked him not to go gentle... again...

[@MSYNGWIE12]

'THE' DYLAN...I love this man and his poetry which "fork lightning"...

[@SaintChase.]

Have some of this tattooed on me. Good quote.

[@ohmyhulahoop]

Came to Dylan Thomas’ work for inspiration in this trying time 🙏🏼

[@jamesthebond4904]

I am thunderstruck by the power of Dylan Thomas' delivery of this powerful poem. Stunned. Absolutely stunned.

[@williamwallace2278]

What wonderful resonance to that wonderful Welsh voice. As in Burton, Hopkins

[@iilluminumooconfirmed1676]

It feels good to live a few streets away from where Dylan was born.

[@geinikan1kan]

he is realLY SINGING!

[@jailman2533]

At this moment these words woke me from my slumber as I tried to recall the author and the sentiments that directly help me through many difficulties. Rage

[@mikeyh0]

The light does not die it gets brighter. We can only see our world through a glass darkly.

[@sexygrandpa4008]

Recommendation: while listening to this, turn on "Is There Anybody Out There?" by Pink Floyd and listen to the instrumental part. It sounds epic.

[@astat1]

Recommendation rejected.

[@Lukaszlipiec]

sexygrandpa That is just epic dude :) Good vibes !

[@mirai____]

sexygrandpa That was actually really cool

[@bigacornlavafla1310]

sexygrandpa whoooaaaa that was really cool!!

[@PunkXCreations]

sexygrandpa That was awesome, thanks for that recommendation! :) I would also recommend listening to this with New Order's Your Silent Face instrumental part. Adds a little bit of electronica to it.

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

my best friend died last year. this poem comforted him on his last day.

[@dennismarfo3536]

May He rest well from his toils .

[@hanszlh6522]

- give Comfort and receive Comfort , both so much can ease all pains , and the most ruinous - that of the soul ....

[@roslynwrenthwaite1149]

Thank you Dylan Thomas.

[@donovanamadeus]

Before Sunrise the Movie brought me here. Glad I found it. Different poem than the movie but what a guy!