Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad | M. R. James | A Bitesized Audio Production

Professor Parkins is not superstitious. So when he digs up an old whistle while investigating the site of some ancient ruins, he is not afraid to blow it. He would have been wiser to take heed of the cryptic inscriptions...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Montague Rhodes James (1862-1936) was a medievalist and scholar, and is probably the best known and most celebrated English ghost story writer of the 20th century, although he actually began composing supernatural tales in the late Victorian era, beginning with 'Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book' (1893). He was born in Kent, but spent most of his childhood in Suffolk, a county which features prominently in many of his stories, including 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Several of James's protagonists also reflect his own antiquarian interests, with academics and historians featuring regularly. James published four volumes of ghost stories in his lifetime: 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1904), 'More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1911), 'A Thin Ghost and Others' (1919) and 'A Warning to the Curious and Other Stories' (1925).
During a long academic career which encompassed several positions at King's College, Cambridge, and Eton College, M. R. James developed a tradition of reading his ghost stories aloud to a group of friends, most famously on Christmas eve, and the majority of his published stories were first heard in that setting. 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' was the Christmas 1903 offering. It was subsequently published in book form the following year as part of James's first anthology 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary'. It has gone on to be probably his best-known story and has been adapted numerous times for stage and screen, most famously in Jonathan Miller's 1968 BBC production starring Michael Hordern as Parkins. The title of the story is taken from a 1793 poem by Robert Burns.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021.

[@BitesizedAudio]

If you'd like to hear some more from M. R. James, I have a playlist of his stories in development, available here: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o Or for a selection of other authors, do take a look at the Victorian Ghost Stories playlist, available here: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv

[@davidbixby8682]

Thank you so much for this, it is excellent! Hope you can get to "The Treasure Of Abbott Thomas" and "Lost Hearts" soon. The BBC version from 1968 with Michael Hordern was superb, as was the "Ghost Stories For Christmas" specials from the 1970's. Wish they could be made available in North America on DVD and/or Blu-Ray.

[@chipbipple2593]

Id love more M.R. James, he's one of the best. This story in particular is an excellent example of how his wry bit believable characterizations of his subjects and general lightheartedness can make things so much scarier.

[@possumaintdead]

One of my (and a lot of other people’s) favorites. I love the way James uses his very dry humor in this story. Your reading, as always, is an added enjoyment. I am also listening to your recording on Audible-very good! Thank you!

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Just for posting this , I’ll share Flat Earth British- mud flood theory and alt history with you. Check out old photos and then listen to your stories Old world is endlessly fascinating Thanks for narration

[@BitesizedAudio]

@N W’f Yes indeed, there's a lovely vein of humour in many of James's narratives which appeals to me too. Thanks so much for your support on Audible, it's greatly appreciated.

[@tammyhanlon3057]

Oh, thank you!!! Happy Halloween

[@julielevinge266]

One of M.R. James best stories, though several different endings have been filmed, original story is by far the best.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Interesting. As far as I can recall I've only seen two filmed versions of this - the classic black and white 1968 Jonathan Miller/Michael Hordern version, and a more recent BBC version with John Hurt, but the latter bore very little resemblance to the original story

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, thanks Ross!

[@blixten2928]

I thought the 1968 one was well-acted, worth watching: but nothing can imitate James, he prose and his humour -and his disturbing visions. "A slight, cold rain..." Oh goodness, one knows that -- in the gray darkness of a late winter day....

[@silvertiger2801]

Julie Levinge: I'd like to see the film's. Do you know the titles?

[@inisipisTV]

@@silvertiger2801 - You can find it in KZbin. Just type the title. Go watch the 1968 version starring Michael Hordern, it's in Black/White. It's a horror classic. The 2010 John Hurt version has no relevance to the original story whatsoever except using the title.

[@SpuktasticAudio]

A timely reminder, dear Simon, as we approach All Hallows', that one should never blow on a strange whistle if you don't know where it's been. Another triumph. As always, I am in awe. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very sound advice. Thanks Bob!

[@availanila]

You have your own channel too I've noticed. I'll go through it too.

[@inisipisTV]

Especially if the whistle has Latin writings saying "Theif, you will blow, you will weep."

[@kaf890890]

@@BitesizedAudio “sound” advice… 😆😆😆

[@kmarch6630]

Ah, such sound advice, my dear chap! One must protect one's whistle!

[@GradKat]

Wonderful stuff! I first read this story when I was very young (12!) and it is one of those tales which has haunted me my whole life. That lonely figure on the shore, the sinister savagery of the wind - and God forbid I should ever stay in a hotel room with twin beds! 😱 Thank you again for your perfect delivery, Simon!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks GradKat. I think I was a little older when I first read it, but it's definitely one that stays with you!

[@blixten2928]

I never thought James was easy to read - he's rich in details, yet sparse in his spookiness: no overdrawn adjectives here. You do a splendid job!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks @blixten2928, kind of you to say so!

[@janetcw9808]

Me too, I agree with you entirely.

[@HermunthrudaWaldheim]

M. R. James's ghost stories are the best of all. They truely are frightening, because the author dies not try to sound creepy or sinister. That's true Art and magic. The only pity is, that He wrote to few of them.

[@chimera8421]

My cat and I love the bedtime stories. Thank you Simon x

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome! Best wishes to you both

[@barbaraprest783]

One of my favourite stories

[@shannondore]

This is the one I've been waiting for.😄

[@robynmarler1951]

Why do I keep listening to these at night😂😂😂

[@mikamee5459]

Listened to this at night. It was quite scary. These classics are more creepy than the new stuff on tv.

[@boredwarlock5216]

Nothing like a good old Henry James spooky story on a cold and rainy day over Halloween weekend! Thanks Simon

[@christophernewman5027]

Henry? That was another author entirely. 😊

[@GradKat]

Montague Rhodes James, in this case.

[@christophernewman5027]

@@GradKat Quite. 😊

[@spacehound3355]

Oh my a classic gem, I shall save this one for later tonight which I know will be great. Thank you Simon.

[@hannahreynolds7611]

Only just started to play this, but am off the scale happy! Thank you! 😊

[@hannahreynolds7611]

Although a late-comer to the ghost-story genre (which probably came with the campfire!), this story can lay claim to two archetypes. We have the locked-room mystery and M.R.James predates The Mystery of the Yellow Room by three years. The supernatural ghost story is of the purest type. The particular genius of the story is that he doesn't explain the phenomenon. Has Parkins awoken Fear? Did someone bury a dangerous artfact in a perceived "holy" site and so contain the menace? Did the Knights Templar bring back something from their pilgrimages? James doesn't tell you, because the answer doesn't add or take away from his story. His tale is perfect in and of itself. [Edit: the Colonel may be anti-papist, ie not an Anglo-Catholic, but he knows which side his bread is buttered!] Thank you so much Simon. It may have been dramatised before, but your reading is as perfect as James' tale.

[@hannahreynolds7611]

Just another observation: for an Oxbridge Fellow/Professor surplices were all over the place - it is one of the foundations of Collegiate 'choir dress'. Poor (🤔) Parkins would have faced a surplice on the back of a door in most of his colleagues' rooms and whenever he went into Chapel (almost daily).

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Hannah, glad to know you enjoyed it. Yes indeed, that must have been very difficult for Parkins!

[@aob4214]

Also BBC Radio 4 drama department did a fantastic rendition of the story about 15_ to20 years ago. Sometimes they still play it on BBC radio seven. Or is it BBC Radio 4 extra?

[@BitesizedAudio]

I don't think I've heard that one, I'll keep an ear out for it

[@okesoncharlie]

I think I'll look for that, as well, thanks.

[@Not00]

I'm taking your excellent readings for granted now. This one is a fantastic story. And a marvelous title.

[@BitesizedAudio]

A great title indeed. Taken from a poem by Robert Burns: www.robertburns.org/works/424.shtml

[@sonnetlikely]

The pauses during the golf game were an excellent and colourful touch. Thanks again for a delightful tale!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@bayowl9715]

My favourite ghost story ever.... Saving this one for Christmas thank you ❤️

[@Rossion64]

The one I've been waiting for! Excellent!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, thanks Ross!

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

We saw this live on stage as one of two one act plays. The scenery was amazing and the spook gave us all a few jumps i can tell you. I read all of M.R.JAMES ghost stories when i borrowed them from our local library in the 1970s. They are all clever, brilliantly written and stand the test of time.

[@carolmikolj5134]

I'm a huge fan of MRJ and I've heard many readings of this story. This is the best reading I've ever heard. Thank you so much for this celebration of the great man.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome Carol. Thank you so much for your very generous comment, very glad to know you enjoyed it!

[@chrisnorman9980]

Previously, I listened to this story read on another channel. It was fine - but - as always - your reading is the last word on the subject. Thanks X 1000.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your kind comments Chris, truly appreciated! Glad to know you enjoyed it

[@patriciajrs46]

I am an author- true only one book- but I have to admit that these writers who are poetic, explicit, mysterious, have something that I lack. What that might be, I am not quite sure. ( possibly class and style? Ha. I keep praising those.) I also keep trying. I am also a poet. I have much to learn from these phrasings, and descriptions. Thanks Simon for your brilliant cadence and artful mirth, mystery, and British aplomb. Splendid.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Patricia. I greatly admire authors, I've not written anything myself since my teenage years, but from reading others' work I regularly marvel at the skill and imagination they display. Perhaps I'll have a go sometime. Best wishes with your own future writing!

[@kaf890890]

Felicitations on upload number 100!

[@spews1973]

An excellent reading of THE ghost story by THE master.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@katyvdb5993]

The most frightening of all M R James' ghost stories, I think. Your voice and delivery are perfect for the elegant English and understated humour, and you create the different characters (the don, the colonel, the little boy etc) so neatly. Thank you for the pleasure that your uploads give.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome. And I see you bought me some coffee earlier, thank you so much for your support, it's greatly appreciated

[@katyvdb5993]

@@BitesizedAudio Moreover, I never cease to appreciate the courtesy with which you reply to thanks and compliments.

[@maxgc6413]

His most perfect tale for a warm summers evening

[@lindaloe]

Or Early Autumn 🍂 As It Is Now 😊

[@LynGibbdeSwarteMostRev]

A superb rendering by Simon of a clever, cleverly constructed and written story. Thank you for the upliftment! Rev Lyn New Christian Spiritualists' Society based in East Anglia...

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Lyn, appreciated. Best wishes to you

[@CiceroSpeaketh]

This is my favourite M.R. James story. Thank you for reading it so beautifully as usual! Such a treat for Halloween.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Excellent. Glad to know you enjoyed it, thanks for your kind comments

[@shirleynarsi]

I always find hotel rooms forbidding. And now you’ve given me yet another reason.

[@BitesizedAudio]

@Narasimhan S I think the main lesson is, just avoid ones with a spare bed in them! Thanks for your support

[@shirleynarsi]

@@BitesizedAudio and spare bed sheets.

[@archibaldbagge1235]

Simon. I listen to a lot of audio reads, but you are the best at evoking the atmosphere and character of 19th and early 20th century popular magazine writing. I love and collect The Strand and similar periodicals Please never stop doing what you are doing it's wonderful. From a gushing fan.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Archibald, I greatly appreciate your comments. I certainly hope to keep doing this for a while yet! My to-do list of stories is ever-expanding...

[@johnnyrockabilly4962]

M R JAMES awesome writer

[@Pattilapeep]

You have outdone yourself, sir. This reading was absolute perfection. A favorite story of mine and now I have heard the definitive interpretation. Thank you so much. Pat in New Jersey

[@BitesizedAudio]

Kind of you to say so, thank you Pat!

[@angelachouinard4581]

Perfect for an overcast Saturday night with rain coming in fits! The sensible, but occult believing colonel who understood boys is one of my favorite James characters. Thank you for bringing him to life. The boy's voice was a delight as well. What a Halloween treat.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Angela. Yes, the Colonel is a great character, I enjoyed reading him (and the boy too!)

[@annetteeggett2802]

I feel an early night coming on x

[@esterherschkovich6499]

Just got home..long week but perfect to relax and listen 💐💐

[@dranimations7902]

The perfect story for this time of year. - Strangely enough there was an episode of Father Brown on tv that used this creepy story as its basis.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, although I must admit personally I enjoy a good ghost story at most times of the year!

[@dranimations7902]

@@BitesizedAudio Yes as do I.

[@Gumblina1]

One of my favorite M R James story read by my favorite narrator. thank you

[@WadeWeigle]

Very nice. The imagery of the thing pawing around the room in crumpled up bed clothes is very creepy. Thank you for reading this one. It was a treat.

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Excellent, I appreciate this tonight

[@JD-cw4qg]

One of my absolutely favourite authors, genius and beautifully read as always, you totally bring his stories to life Simon, thank you for your fabulous channel 👍 and for including the genius that was M R James

[@Linnet09]

My favourite author of ghost stories, and one of his best stories! And a great reading, too.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it, thank you

[@januzzell8631]

One of my favourite writers - have all his stories - and this was masterfully read - thank you

[@synesthete23]

I have read this title before and it’s a delight to finally experience it through your voice. Many thanks for helping me ‘see’ the story through your voice and excellent narration!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful! So glad to know that, thanks for your kind comments

[@annetteeggett2802]

You had me at Oh. Loved this. Thank you so much Simon 👻

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful! Thanks Annette, appreciated

[@okesoncharlie]

Your description is beautifully done, Simon. I quite enjoyed it, thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thanks Charlie

[@appalachianamerican7171]

One of my favorites, and very well done Mr. Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it, thanks AA!

[@brendangilmore4297]

Great reading - you have the perfect voice for anything by M R James :)

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Brendan, kind of you to say so!

[@KiKiabout]

Love... Thank you!

[@walktherainbow]

Excellent, thank you 👻

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for listening

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Enjoyed listening to you as always. Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Rosie, appreciated!

[@djcsilva3936]

A very enjoyable story and excellent reading! I found this channel a couple of days ago and intend to come back often.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Welcome to the channel, thanks for visiting!

[@thelastsausage635]

Well I saved this for the evening as a treat, because I knew it would be marvellous and it was! Thanks Simon! Beautifully read as ever!👍🙂

[@BitesizedAudio]

@The Last Sausage Thank you!

[@josmith2031]

brill 💫💫

[@ellectra13]

I'm so happy I found your channel!! Stay awesome

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@irenabevans3411]

Really relaxing, just what I needed to prepare for sleep, even though raining heavily with a slight wind, certainly won't be whistling though, drowsiness can play tricks on a tired mind sweet dreams

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to help, and I hope the dreams were sweet!

[@irenabevans3411]

@@BitesizedAudio Yes I did have a peaceful night thank you, butterfly's & Oak woods very tranquil

[@drwolftickets7473]

Perfect for Halloween, and a brilliant reading as always!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Dr W. Glad you enjoyed it, especially as I recall you requested more MRJ... I'm slowly working my way through his collected works!

[@justinehayward2553]

Great stuff. Have you watched the Michael Hordern version?

[@aob4214]

That was in the 1970s wasn’t it it was particularly sinister. And I think John hurt was another version of it much later on but I think some Michael Hortons versionappearance was far superior.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Justin. I have indeed, one of the very best James adaptations I think

[@justinehayward2553]

@@aob4214 The Hurt version didn’t do it for me- am I right in thinking that it left the original storyline? Miller’s version captured that MR James horror with some very clever, yet basic, visual and sound devices- chased along the beach… Hordern’s supercilious character is a hard act to follow-‘wash and bruuushhh up!’ What a great channel this is. My go to for ghost stories when I need escape.

[@inisipisTV]

@@justinehayward2553 - The John Hurt had no relation whatsoever to the M R James story except using the title. Different plot, different characters , different story altogether.

[@xhjwess]

😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤i love ut all videos

[@tombaker674]

Not the story I read in "Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural", but good.

[@NajwaLaylah]

But... who is it that comes?

[@BitesizedAudio]

A good question!

[@smythharris2635]

Not who, rather what.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Warning: Plot spoiler! 🙂 It's a nice twist, isn't it. As children we instinctively duck down and hide beneath the sheets to escape the terrors of the night... But here it's the bedclothes themselves that are out to get you. Nasty! 😁

[@williamhagen2792]

This is my 2nd M R James story and my last. Both are bloated and boring. The narrator could not save the stories.