Ian McKellan reads "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Ian McKellen reads the 1798 version of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" ("The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere").
PART I: 0:05
PART II: 3:48
PART III: 6:36
PART IV: 10:23
PART V: 13:45
PART VI: 19:52
PART VII: 25:44
(thank you to Chris from the comments for the timestamps)
Buy it at www.mckellen.com/audio/rime.htm

[@josephsimmonds4776]

I listened like a three years' child: The McKellen hath his will.

[@Professor_Fussy-face]

Most under-rated comment ever!!!!

[@qamarqammar7629]

That's about the age my brother and I were when my father began reciting it to us. As a bedtime story. I know, I know, but we thought it was great stuff.

[@johnlewis9745]

He has the timing, but not the resonance of some other actors, e.g. Burton.

[@anon4275]

I read this poem when I was 8 years old after I heard Iron Maiden's song. I absolutely fell in love with it and I'd later get my English degree largely because of this poem. On another note I read The Raven at the same age after seeing Tim Burton's short Vincent Malloy. Again, I fell in love with the poem and it launched me towards my degree. In short, you can thank Iron Maiden and Tim Burton for introducing me to great literature and eventually my degree.

[@asurlybarber3620]

And people used to think heavy metal was bad for impressionable kids. Thanks for proving what I always knew, that my Aunt Brenda was full of it.

[@anon4275]

@@asurlybarber3620 My dad totally bought off on the Satanic Panic crap back then but he was also a womanizing drunk who abused my older brother and left when I was nine. Fortunately my mom wasn't as strict, so as long as my brother and I weren't shoving the music or movies in her face she was too tired to fight it. Between metal, horror, and comic books I learned a lot about literature. I mean what kid DIDN'T want to know what the hell uncanny meant and why it described the X-Men?

[@alexjager4517]

Thats great. I'll have to investigate the iron maiden song. I saw them with judas priest. I had a friend who could recite this poem almost in its entirety. She never went to college, but what a beautiful mind. She could also sing all these show tunes, which I found annoying on our long drives.

[@cynthiadavis3102]

Thank you for your comment. I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on this poem. 😊

[@matweb8195]

I could barely read 'The Beano' when I was eight, lol

[@robertanthonynolan9697]

Am 64 heard about the tale never read or heard it till now up there with the best half hour I have ever spent thank you 💟

[@tnasj8078]

Gandalf reads my homework out

[@DrakeDark18]

so in a sense, you're learning from a wizard, how to keep death at bay?

[@animatorsrule1063]

Bro, literally same.

[@captainbirch2.079]

Yep have to know this for a quiz tomorrow

[@DonkeyShine69]

Lmaooooo Gandalf

[@ShirleyLestrade]

I actually forgot for a second that he was Gandalf and so about halfway through I was like “why does his voice sound so familiar?” And it took me to the end to remember that he is in fact Gandalf 😂

[@charmzpix]

When I was about 4, this was my favorite bedtime story. My poor mom had to read it over and over and over. It still relaxes me to this day.

[@cynthiadavis3102]

❤lovely! A four year old!

[@expertexcrementexpediter]

Man... parenting goals.

[@lindaross783]

What a treat! Coleridge. One of the greatest poems of the romantic age read by one of the greatest actors in the world. I have to get my hanky!

[@mariomims98]

Listening to this while wandering the shores of Watchet - the town which inspired the poem. Would definitely recommend

[@CthulhuChow]

"and the moral of this story is this what not to do if a bird shits on you..." Bruce Dickinson 1984

[@joelkavanagh1464]

.. sorry out-grow of it all the minimal-mind of the LOLtrollop ....

[@BudStudmuffin]

100th like on this comment!

[@bowiemalachi2529]

Sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.

[@dariancesar8346]

@Bowie Malachi Instablaster =)

[@magicknight13]

Hahahahahaha

[@kyun1252]

Ian McKellen could read the US tax code and make it sound thrilling!

[@johnappleseed8369]

100%

[@lisastallingskeelor3328]

kyun1252 100% exactly right on point. I could listen to him speak for eons.

[@willcroxford]

But as a big bonus, fortunately this is much more thrilling than the US tax code

[@davidwright8432]

... or at least doom-laden!

[@CharlieLoftus]

​@@willcroxford😊

[@mrssmallbutperfect]

I remember being so uninspired by this poem studying at school back in the 1970s. 50 years later, I am enchanted by Ian McKellen's delivery as he brings the marinere vividly to life. It was worth a half century wait, only wish it had been around when I was doing O level English! Thank you!!

[@joefish6091]

Try the Richard Burton version.

[@somethingcreativeprobably5160]

Ah, in India, we had to study the first verse in 10th standard and I absolutely dreaded it. It was a complete contrast to what we usually read. Now I'm a post-graduation student, studying English literature and having learnt the full meaning of this poem, I visit this video at least once a week.

[@Fomalhaut_Antares]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 The biggest mistake we made, was teaching children Poetry was supposed to be annualized rather than experienced. They couldn't understand adults and their world, so we grew up and made our own. And after all still thinking they didn't understand the voice of the heart, in themselves nor others.

[@TNBen60]

I was in school in the 70’s as well. This was taught as the purest form of drudgery. Mr. McKellan’s narration made it a mental adventure.

[@TrevorsRoom]

How could you not be in awe filled amazement with this idk i guess everyone's got different perspective "through the holes of his eyes, and the hole of his mouth half-whistles and half-groans".idk why that line is full of life i like it even better than the famous "water water everywhere and the boards did shrink water water everywhere but not a drop to drink"

[@xXLeviathanXx]

PART I: 0:05 PART II: 3:48 PART III: 6:36 PART IV: 10:23 PART V: 13:45 PART VI: 19:52 PART VII: 25:44

[@DarkEmperorWolf]

# lifesaver

[@johnbrown5565]

If you have had a few years of sea duty on a merchant or military ship in all weather, this poem will give you chills.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

There is an isolation and hardship on a ship at sea that is like no other experience on earth

[@KenMoss]

“The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” is an allegory that symbolises the inherent struggle of humans facing the ideas of sin and redemption. ... Because of this belief, a sin against Nature was seen as a sin against good or God. Much the same as Milton's epic; another allegorical poem about good and evil.

[@jasonturner2206]

Thanks for that..🙄

[@G59_Gabe]

@@jasonturner2206 what’s your issue sunshine?

[@lochlanncairns621]

U

[@johnnicholas1488]

Perhaps " allegory " Is too Strict and definite a term. This is no Pilgrims Progress. I've been reading it for over 50 years. I feel it is more of a mystical trance induced experience. Perhaps the influence of opium. Ah well you may be right. It is a charming mystery. For me I find it mystical.

[@macehilmatecilof4140]

and the dangers of smoking too much weed and trying to write a poem.

[@TheSaltydog07]

What bliss to hear this. Thank you.

[@coledouglas1817]

fun fact: This version, with the weird "ancyent" spelling and certain lines that differ from probably the version you have to read in school, is actually the original version Coldridge first published. This version was published in 1798 in the Lyric Ballads book that he and Wordsworth worked on together. Later on, in 1817, he would go to change certain phrases and spelling after the poem gained its popularity and also added a "marginal gloss" to help one understand it better.

[@scintilly]

most helpful comment ive encountered on YT to date. bless you man

[@coledouglas1817]

@@scintilly aye no prob! glad to help (i love this poem but it can be confusing lmao)

[@black_wink1649]

The marginal gloss wasn't to help people but more to mock them

[@coledouglas1817]

Black_Wink omg yasssss 😂👏

[@azeemsarfarazlexicon101]

Among many other instances there’s one where it says water water everywhere and all the bourds did shrink which was later changed to ships did shrink. And nay any drop to drink instead of not any drop to drink.

[@claireverdoorn2474]

This is haunting and wonderful. Gandalf's voice is perfect for it.

[@beaterbikechannel2538]

This is referenced on Page 66 of Ludovic Kennedy's Pursuit. A Snow Goose flies over HMS Suffolk's forward gun turrets, keeping pace with the Royal Navy cruisers as if toying with them. One officer suggests shooting it to have Goose for dinner. Captain Ellis forbids it, reminding him of The Ancient Mariner. Out there in the snow squalls is Bismarck. Fate isn't to be tempted on this mission.

[@politicallyuncorrect9322]

Currently, I am in a quiet room, wearing earbuds listening to this. I am overwhelmed by a feeling I cannot describe but it feels warm and light. I wish I wasn't sober. I'd have an explanation.

[@georgebrucks2833]

I think that is why art (poetry, painting, music, etc.) was created and lives on. It explains/creates emotions/sensations that cannot otherwise be explained. Art is sublime metaphor?

[@Ndanielb1]

Be nice to birds, y’all!

[@Sup3rD4ve]

The dude said it himself: "He prayeth well, who loveth well Both man and bird and beast. He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small, For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all."

[@user-ze3tq9hf9i]

Bad luck to kill a sea bird.

[@MommaBear4143]

I've been in love with this poem, continually reading it and now listening to it for over 10 years! 💕

[@fosagenespringer7757]

Me too!

[@JAGANNATHPS_CT]

ME too

[@garrettcarroll5808]

Me too! I read it in a college class, and I've reread it three times since. It's so elegant and beautiful.

[@ruralandroid4984]

This will be me in 5 years lol. I have part 1,2 and half of 3accidentally memorized after listening/reading the rime at least a thousand times

[@cynthiadavis3102]

​@@ruralandroid4984Beautiful! ❤

[@Sherryrebelfan]

My son Kasey sent me the link to this. I had never heard it before. Chilling and beautiful. Love you, Kasey.

[@deebeer483]

wow he has an amazing voice for these

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

I have done this poem amongst the Romantic poems in our M.A. Literature one of the the most expressive of poems with its glittering eye and Cormorants I don't remember it was so long. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@GG256_]

This poem is absolute fire. I like hearing it aloud but it's fun to read as well, because rhythmically it lacks 100% continuity and that was an awesome creative choice. It's the antithesis of say, writing a piece of structurally sound music. (Not lyrics.) You have to make sure things fit exactly in the time/pocket and serve the intended purpose. Verbally here, when the description adds extra adjectives or even entire lines, (creating a sort of stylistic coloring outside with the words with the stanza patterns.) It activates the areas of my brain that I feel when I play my instruments, (or do any task that requires high concentration) but nets positive feedback. It's a remarkable piece of literature really, partially because it doesn't always adhere to the same pentameter and focuses on expression first. Also, the message of cherishing life on Earth through a Christian lense resonates with me. The visual aspect is the main focus obviously. I mean, damn. Even the simpler lines like the ship being painted still on the ocean, (rhyming motion with ocean.) are remarkably simple yet so effectively vivid. Lurid even, in the more horrific parts. Juxtaposing color palates to portray narrative tone in scenes was just, almost perfect. Oily green and blue seas, cool somber colors, etc... Contrasted to the crimson shapes of one's home. Dope. 10/10 would recommend. You'd think this guy was a famous poet or something. :P

[@CuriousInterest]

plot twist: Gandalf sings the Iron Maiden version

[@Smithdashunderscore]

The curse it lives on in their Eyes!

[@Kire-li7sj]

🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@animatorsrule1063]

I have to watch this crap and summarize the whole thing for a freaking senior assignment, I have no time for jokes.😭

[@gozmah]

E #

[@77perudo]

@@animatorsrule1063 this is good tho trust me.. i had to do the same in the 80's when i was in high school.. but what was cool is tht i already knew the iron maiden song.. here we are 35 years later.. and i still can appreciate this work..

[@kuttersprodukt]

Magneto putting the young mutants to sleep...

[@bartarkis]

I came here to listen to the entire poem because of the book I'm reading. The truth and beauty by Klavan. He uses parts of the poem in the book to demonstrate certain ways of thinking through things. Interesting book. Thanks for posting this.

[@kangaroo9816]

I’m here for the same reason, albeit a different book. The poem is repeatedly referenced in Frankenstein.

[@bartarkis]

Frankenstein gets mentioned in TandB. I didn't know it was kind of an assignment Mary Shelley took on in the group of future famous authors. Is the Rhyme mentioned in Frankenstein?

[@kangaroo9816]

@@bartarkis Yes, at least twice! I’ve only read a third of the book so far and might’ve missed some earlier, less obvious references though. Here’s the first mention: “I am going to unexplored regions, to “the land of mist and snow,” but I shall kill no albatross; therefore do not be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the “Ancient Mariner.” You will smile at my allusion (…).“ And the direct quotation that made me look up the poem: “Like one who, on a lonely road, Doth walk in fear and dread, And, having once turned round, walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread.“ (This is used as comparison for Frankenstein’s anxious wanderings on the night after he brought his monster to life.) The two works definitely match in tone and message. 😩

[@pameladowe2492]

Oh, what a joy it is to hear this well known rhyme read with such passion and love of words. Masterful!

[@arvindhmani06]

It doesn't get any better than listening to Gandalf reading the Rime and Saruman reading the Raven.

[@KRobinson-ko1ne]

I guess Radagast the Brown(Sylvester McCoy) needs to read HP Lovecraft’s Nemesis

[@MiriOhki]

I remember first reading this when I was a kid. Still sticks in my head.

[@vicious26]

The “ water, water everywhere…” part is one of the greatest quartets in poetry’s history.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

and one of Iron Maidens Best Songs

[@the_grand_tourer]

Wow, this a thing! What a gift! So pleased I found this.

[@pnjodaro]

Fun fact: There are a total of 23 poems in Lyrical Ballads (1798) and out of which S. T. Coleridge contributed only 4; the other 19 were contributed by Wordsworth. But surprisingly it was Coleridge who gained more popularity, with only 4 poems being contributed by him.

[@maedrosGR]

iron maiden and gandalf the grey brought me here, god bless them

[@susiejt]

Beautiful reading of one of my old favs.

[@joycebowen8958]

When we were little we would beg momma to read us this and other poems like Annabelle Lee and Lord Ullin's daughter. She would shake her head and ask why we couldn't be like other children and want normal bedtime stories. 😆 None of us would ever change that. We read them to our children and now grandchildren these amazing classics.❤

[@cynthiadavis3102]

Thrilling to hear that you are keeping these great works alive! I love this poem so much I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on it.

[@joycebowen8958]

@cynthiadavis3102 we are so fortunate to have been able to hear the old poems and stories. My Mother could sing like an angel and she was a gifted storyteller as was Dad. So grateful for it and our children were able to hear her tell and they are all intent on keeping them going.( Btw there were 4 of us children,we collectively had 15 offspring and now so far we have 7 grandchildren between us. Sadly they won't hear mom or dad but they can listen to all the stories we can remember!)

[@cynthiadavis3102]

@joycebowen8958 How wonderful! I am so happy for you and your family! It's heartwarming to read this. We will keep on reading these great works. (My daughter is tenured at U of Tampa in Communications but she gave up being an artist and has gone to teaching the technical/computer and Women's Studies side, which is great but not poetic) Great thanks for sharing your good fortune. It blesses me, also.

[@joycebowen8958]

@cynthiadavis3102 i hope to see all of the old ones grace another century and never be forgotten. Its our gift to the future generations!

[@joycebowen8958]

@cynthiadavis3102 I'm sure your daughter will find the perfect niche. I have a nephew that studied communications at both Texas A&M and University of Texas and he ended up getting an engineering degree. I'm sure it can't be an easy thing with our colleges the way they are nowadays. I truly wish you and your family a wonderful peaceful life.

[@hollyharries5284]

I listened entranced. Thankyou. Stupendous rendition. ❤

[@afreenreads3313]

Mr Ian is a blessing ❤

[@lisastallingskeelor3328]

Only thing I wish here is that we could have live video of Ian doing the reading. I follow him like an awe struck puppy. Just love him!

[@jamesivie5717]

One of my favorites. I have read it many times. This was a good rendition. Thank you. Remember, " he liveth well, who loveth well, both man and bird and beast. Amen

[@ritaspeers1259]

My Mother read this to me when I was a preschooler.

[@crusaderbavaria5796]

this is breathtaking.........so beautiful

[@GuilhermeGiglio]

Internet still lives, this is awesome!!!

[@MilciadesAndrion]

I like this video with the complete poem. It's amazing!

[@emythatsenough5016]

I will never be tired to not to listen to this marvellous poem ready by Gandalf 💝

[@abbrizjabkhan7862]

Good recitation-brings every line a life!

[@tomyamartino]

What an unexpected treat!

[@roel.vinckens]

Sir Ian Mckellen brings every syllable alive.

[@roel.vinckens]

@@osakarose5612 OK, now I need to find that... Just saw "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf" for the tenth time. The best actors do bring something extra to the reading table.

[@ant7936]

Wonderful presentation of a great work. Thanks.

[@J.F.R.1]

Many a line from this poem gets stuck in my head from time to time.

[@tommorgan1291]

Me too.

[@colen35]

Read this when I was in school and was captivated by it. I'm nearing the start of my 89th year and still remember how much I loved it. Ian McKellan's reading gives it a new meaning for me. I actually expected to listen to a few lines then go on to another video. I immediately became entranced and could not stop listening.. Thank you, KZbin, for putting this in my feed! How did you know? And thank you, Ian

[@peterclark6290]

Is it too much to hope that the satanic KZbin is rediscovering the depth and quality of the European contribution...?

[@EFO841]

Sir Ian reads me a bedtime story

[@sarahbedwell8604]

it feels like im there , best reader ever :D

[@kmg3658]

Spectacular! Thank you.

[@msmith6713]

It’s a work of Genius by Coleridge. Still my favourite poem. A work art perhaps the best example of English poetry.

[@cynthiadavis3102]

I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on it because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

[@mwmann]

Love Ian McKellen

[@mrsb.kgrover5574]

what a rendition of the poem !!!👍

[@jeffgreiner4007]

this was wonderful to listen... thank you...

[@magicknight13]

I never knew this was the origin of "water water everywhere but not a drop to drink!"

[@tommorgan1291]

My Don at Cambridge suggested that stories of ghost ships were many and dated back hundreds of years. Many artists spun poems and tales around the mysterious theme including choice phrases. Coolidge and Words worth collaborated and helped each other while friends. Perhaps they did not originate this famous line? Doesn't matter. Just giving you another point of view.

[@Raven-Claws88]

You'd have to be as obtuse as a cave troll or turned to stone not to appreciate the voice of Sir Ian McKellen reading this fabulous epic. In fact if you don't like it, kindly begone to your shadowy cave and darken this comments page no more!

[@graham6132]

No. You’d have to be a professor of English literature at any university, who has never read Coleridge or any other “dead, white, male” and encourages your students to instead read Judith Butler and cliff notes to Marx’ Das Kapital.

[@judithsixkiller5586]

There are so many great horror and adventure stories and poems available online ! Some that our teacher played on records during classes. Vincent Price , Christopher Lee , Boris Karloff and many more narrator's reading great literature that's not only enjoyable ,but surely going to be useful in a school context.

[@jamierabinowitz7102]

Very haunting and beautiful, first time hearing it in its entirety

[@daffodilbloom1498]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@5ar_]

5:11 Iron Maiden *intensifies*

[@sivadepilif]

9:54 and here too!

[@howardfischer7429]

Magnificent.

[@meursault7030]

WOW this is amazing.

[@johnhoward6393]

Around 500 AD and ongoing, the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes began their migrations/invasions of the British Isles. Their early tribal Germanic languages spread throughout the islands. Vikings/Norsemen raided the islands, some stayed on, but most went back to their homelands. A variety of Germanic languages took hold as the Anglo-Saxon settlements and culture spread and grew together with the older cultures and languages of England over time. This was common in Europe and was continued when the Americas were settled. Various Germanic syntax and vocabulary fused with the older ones. We have liberty from the Romans and freedom from the Germanic tribes, for example. But we use them differently. Give me freedom or give me death doesn't work as well as give me liberty or give me death. In the time of Coleridge, many of the original Germanic words were still in use. by 1066 the Norsemen had become Normans and began their invasion/migration to the land of the Angles, England.

[@cynthiadavis3102]

So interesting to learn this history! I didn't know this and I took a linguistics class. Thnx.

[@OdditiesandRarities]

Wow I love the old speech that Coleridge perfected, he could have just said at the end "he got up the following morning", but rather "to rise by the morrow morn." Incredible.

[@gidsinveenhuizenpuntnl]

Very nice. I enjoyed this very much.

[@danedearmond4905]

Such a great tale.

[@Healllo]

T

[@basantsingh353]

The most touching poem of compassion and nonviolence. Moved me to the core of heart and soul Prof Basant Singh Brar Bathinda Punjab

[@dianadevlin3717]

Beautiful reading

[@terrybryce88]

Beautifully read. Thank you!

[@unperson5713]

Thanks for sharing.

[@PoseidonSon2002]

Who else is here because they have to “read” this for a English assignment

[@patchdickinson3425]

yep

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Go listen to the song version of this by the band called Iron Maiden. It is amazing

[@eggsonlegs4228]

🔥🤘 Maiden brought me here 🤘🔥

[@eivnaj]

me

[@Lucy-rz2uq]

thats me xd

[@solarisseven6969]

Beautiful

[@juanchernandez3640]

Good listening while waiting on a wheel alignment

[@vickyhenderson7175]

Brilliant 🤩

[@characterarc4711]

This is pretty awesome.

[@trevoror8668]

One 48th of the day spent in a blissful way

[@hibraisil]

Thank You.

[@SaltyMinorcan]

Ah memories of my early years of reading. How sweet is the memory. I also loved skeleton in armor and Lochinvar..wreck of the Hesperus.

[@jessiejames7492]

we had to study this in secondary school. our teacher explained. very interesting.But i have forgotten it all.

[@gustavo10912]

God bless England, i AM from Argentina!

[@Muzer0]

Wow, I heard this in English class a while back (probably about 6 or 7 years ago now... eek!), and never found it online until now. Cheers for uploading!

[@tweetwat]

"Shrieve me, shrieeege me, holy man!" what a beautiful poem

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@tomislavkuna2265]

Perfection.

[@TaiChiGhost]

Splendid

[@lorenzomidabatacchi5342]

Can't believe how close it is to the Iron Maiden Song

[@palikariatl]

This was written LONG before Iron Maiden!

[@insanerhardstyle5872]

​@@palikariatlyeah but its actually this poem was influnced by the most iconic Iron Maiden track of all time (Steve Harris knew what he was doing when he decided to write this song)

[@margaretcaine4219]

​@@insanerhardstyle5872You've got it the wrong way around: the song was influenced by the poem, which was written 200 years ago.

[@quabledistocficklepo3597]

I've often thought that he went "over the top" with his other poetry recitations, but he's "spot on" here. His voice and manner perfectly matches the material.

[@loriscunado3607]

I thought I wasn't going to like it because of McKellen's actoorishness but in fact he chose an interesting version of the poem and read it reasonably. I think he could have emphasised the rhythm more and the 'meaning' less.

[@starbensash519]

What a beautiful rendition!

[@user-ng9gd4vl9s]

Not a bad Maiden cover, notice it's a bit longer.

[@shawndale7344]

amazing...plus, i didnt know that there were different versions of this masterpiece...

[@Americaone1]

Coleridge onced said of the great english actor Edmund Kean,watching Edmund Kean act is like reading Shakespeare by flashes of lightning 🌩

[@rayne758]

Thanks Gandalf 👌👌

[@jamestregler1584]

So long since I've heard this and least we forget the skeleton in armour !

[@philipmathew6239]

I will admit I was hoping Ian McKellan to insert a “Fly, you fool!”

[@simon-oy6um]

And there was no one left to tell the tale after the ship went down 😢😢😢😊😊

[@steveking8997]

Indeed