Sailing to Byzantium - W. B. Yeats (Powerful Life Poetry)

Read by Doug Barron
Music by Hammock
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William Butler Yeats was a Nobel Prize winning Irish writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
"Sailing to Byzantium" is Yeats' definitive statement about the agony of old age and the imaginative and spiritual work required to remain a healthy individual even when the heart is "fastened to a dying animal" (the body).
Yeats's solution is to leave the country of the young and travel to Byzantium, where the sages in the city's famous gold mosaics could become the "singing-masters" of his soul. He hopes the sages will appear in fire and take him away from his body into an existence outside time, where, like a great work of art, he could exist in "the artifice of eternity."
In the final stanza of the poem, he declares that once he is out of his body he will never again appear in the form of a natural thing; rather, he will become a golden bird, sitting on a golden tree, singing of the past, the present, and the future.

[@RedFrostMotivation]

The newest addition to our Powerful Life Poetry series. Let us know if there are any poems you'd like to hear in future episodes! Best - RF

[@jarrodsaxton]

Pain: A woman broke up with me today, But I just don't know what I did wrong And I want to change, there I lay Thinking hard about what I might say To ask about what is going on I get up and I leave her alone Despite the heavy feeling of pain, Wishing that I was still laying prone; I walk away from who I thought I'd known Knowing that she will become my bane I press on in life with no closure, She left my personality marred For the next women who comes over, But I know to keep my composure Despite doing so in pain is hard I will tell this with a smile oneday; I was the one who just moved on when My moving on was the only way, I chose pain over pleading to stay And became the man of all men. - Jarrod Saxton You're welcome to use this poem of mine!

[@neeladrimaitra1737]

more Walt Whitman please :) Love your channel.

[@samsonthomas1178]

Rabindranath Tagore: let my country wake

[@Steveirwin4477]

The battle doesn't always go to the strongest man

[@MrDUCKMAN5555]

You did the Tyger yet no lamb so it is incomplete

[@colinellesmere]

My dear friend Kevin. The most knowledgeable man I have known is dying of cancer. He has a very short time to live. But these final months we have gotten closer through a shared interest in poetry I never knew we had. Poems like this as he enters the final phase of life are so pertinent and so absolutely relevant. On this channel there are so many great poems and renditions for the RL toughest of times. And in that toughness is tempered a stronger hope that no mortal ailment can destroy. The viewers of this site will almost all be kindred souls. Searching the greatest words man can speak of the unexplainable that can be known and understood.

[@dowdallerno1]

I hope Kevin gets to Byzantium. 🍀

[@colinellesmere]

Thank you. Maybe he is there now as he passed away on May 2nd.

[@dowdallerno1]

@@colinellesmere sorry to hear that, Rip Kevin.😔☘️

[@feedermonkey7233]

What you wrote here is meaningful and will always be. My sincere condolences.

[@chaidle]

I want to give you a mere condolescence. Nothing but poem can heal the lonely empty place he went off. May I ask what kind of soul he got long time ago. I'm interested when you talked about knowledgeble personality of him. And turned out to share the same interest in poem.

[@athenassigil5820]

I'm in the late autumn of my life, heading slowly, but surely to the winter and then the end. This poem finally makes sense, as when I was young, my reading was for the mind of a man-child, fecund with life and seemingly limitless possibilities.....but now... I see as Yeats did......it will soon end and I shall be here, no more. But still, with poetry like this, what consolation! I'd also add that the narration was so beautifully read, pronounced and measured.....this is how mere words, become the magic of poetry.

[@averyashley6174]

lol you old

[@athenassigil5820]

@@averyashley6174 lol! And you will be too! And guess what? We all die in the end! Ha! Even...you! Lol!

[@nullset560]

Make sure to clap and sing!!

[@howlofwales7183]

"Come, my friends, 'T is not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." - Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson

[@svprememe]

@@Sheseasyouthere Perhaps to Byzantium?

[@WilliamAmes-tq5mo]

Indeed, I have chosen to continue my career in teaching for what is now fifty one years. At the beginning of this just completed year, I met the most totally empathic and 'MIndheart Beautful' student whom I have ever had the pleasure to know. We began our one year independent study with this most holy of poems and, as a benediction to this young Queer man, I have just sent it to him to close the curtain upon our work. Schools have junked the poets and poems that deserve to be truly 'grokked .. in him I know that the future of these works will still burn. "Elen sila lumenn omentielveo," my young friend. Your brilliance and caring warm my soul!

[@Priestbokmei1]

I’ve rarely enjoyed poetry reading until I stumbled upon this channel. Mr. Barron’s voice and accompanying music, is truly captivating.

[@loknathbattula9482]

You are right. It's the best channel when it comes to poetry recitation

[@VictorHBuwa]

Who is Mr Barron?

[@zakariakhan9165]

Same with mine

[@winstonmiller9649]

"Rarely enjoyed poetry?" Poetry has long had a bad reputation. But as you may now be appreciating, its a bit of an acquired taste. It also depends on the type of poetry you enjoy. Some of it can seem unaccessible. You may consider Wordsworth's "Daffodils" it's surprisingly emotive. 😊👍🏽😊

[@neoprince1657]

Well, you'll enjoy it more if you listen to or read Allan Edgar, Khalil Gibran, and Pablo Neruda.

[@rexnemorensis8154]

I keep returning to this poem. It has an overpowering majesty, and a noble, tragic quality to it. To hear it is to understand the state of a soul that is ready to transcend its earthly condition.

[@melcooperman2073]

I totally agree with you and at age 74, this poem is especially meaningful!

[@animula6908]

It’s not tragic to me. It’s downright triumphal sounding in my mind. The soul clap it’s hands and sing, and louder sing? I concur on transcending though.

[@mosesmbadi4158]

​@@melcooperman2073 amazing to see at 28 I share the same interests in some things with older folks. It's exciting for me. Probably my 100th time listening to this since I found it.

[@Matt_R310]

Incredible video, incredible channel. It seems as though the value of poetry has been forgotten. The lessons that you can learn from the emotions of those who lived in the past. If videos were shown like this in elementary schools around the country, it would make a world of a difference I imagine. I had a teacher in 1st grade who loved poetry and shared that love with us students.

[@justanameonyourscreen5954]

I had a teacher read Of Mice and Men to our 6th grade class...I hope he realized the impact that had on some of us...

[@RedFrostMotivation]

Well said!

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

You are right Mr.Matthew such video of poems should be shown in elementary schools of world, have done Y.B.Yeats.,during my masters, been influenced by eastern philosophy such as Byzantium & Hindu pantheism.

[@NEMO-NEMO]

I think poetry will once again be understood, more deeply, by all of us in the coming years. I’m not quite certain it’s attraction in the first place, but I think it’s words put into a rhythm, a picture of human emotion, a pounding of ideas by men and woman who were given that gift of words. It sends the reader into a private space of self discovery, of the connections we have with one another through shared experiences.

[@TheReturn26]

Well said.

[@dlgm161]

A holy poem, majestically delivered. Thank you.

[@0otee]

Yeats poem I need to listen more than once and discover a beautifully woven whole about life, aging and death but after death too💥💫❣️👌🌹

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Greatness

[@jacksongerald882]

Hello!!! how are you doing?

[@phucyu8428]

This is my new favorite channel. I used to love poetry when I was a boy. I used to write my own. As I aged, I stopped. I forgot how as life swept me along on what has been a very tumultuous and painful journey. As I've been watching these videos I feel like that young boy again. I feel like that boy that read Shakespeare's sonnets for the first time and fell in love with them. Thank you. I've rediscovered a part of myself that I thought that I'd lost long ago.

[@williamhutcheson6511]

Haven't heard this since my college days. It still grips me. Thanks for posting.

[@RedFrostMotivation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@biswanathmukherjee241]

A poem...a voice...a spirit...timelessly pertinent...

[@cafepoem189]

The poem was written in the late 1920's when the poet was in his 60's. Some speculate that the old man in this poem reflects the poet's own feeling of alienation then in Ireland.

[@fryuppe]

A great, great poem, honoured by a narration and presentation of almost hallucinatory presence.

[@nathanhaigler8139]

I can’t listen to any oration other than this. It’s just so good

[@farcried8279]

When Alt recited this in cyberpunk I definitely teared up.

[@we_still_rise]

Words that stir the soul.

[@RumbleFish69]

William Butler Yeats has always been my favorite poet. Subjectively, I believe that, "The Second Coming" is the greatest poem ever written. Still, even with the love that I've had for W.B. Yeats all these years, I have never seen his writings as clearly as I do today; in my later years. I hear the words in this poem today, and where they once touched my heart, today, they touch my soul. There is something life-changing about a poem that goes from being profoundly moving words, to being about you. Today, this is no longer a poem. Today, this poem is the story of me.

[@L.AND007]

you are so amazing man. i am always in a wait for your new poem. your voice and choice are great. God bless you.

[@Figuringout.404]

The poem: I That is no country for old men. The young In one another's arms, birds in the trees, -Those dying generations-at their song, The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas, Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long Whatever is begotten, born, and dies. Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect. II An aged man is but a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick, unless Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing For every tatter in its mortal dress, Nor is there singing school but studying Monuments of its own magnificence; And therefore I have sailed the seas and come To the holy city of Byzantium. III O sages standing in God's holy fire As in the gold mosaic of a wall, Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre, And be the singing-masters of my soul. Consume my heart away; sick with desire And fastened to a dying animal It knows not what it is; and gather me Into the artifice of eternity. IV Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any natural thing, But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make Of hammered gold and gold enamelling To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; Or set upon a golden bough to sing To lords and ladies of Byzantium Of what is past, or passing, or to come.

[@lilo7741]

Did they borrow the first line for a movie called no country for old men?

[@MyelinProductions]

@@lilo7741 No, the Movie copied the poem = deepeer meaningful prose on the extreme change in sociopsychology that affects us all as the "normal social ethic" shifts. The movie was a True story that was an eye-opener to law enforcement on how they processed suspects - one of many changes in LE in the late-1970s -early-1980s. The poem is "Sailing to Byzantium" By WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS - 1933. The True story of the movie is from 1979. The movie is from 2007. Great movie with a great social lesson. Be Safe out there. Peace & Health to Us All.

[@barrymoore4470]

@@MyelinProductions The film was itself adapted from a novel by Cormac McCarthy, who took his title from Yeats' poem.

[@MyelinProductions]

@@barrymoore4470 Yes. Thank You and Be Safe out there ~ Peace & Health to Us All.

[@barrymoore4470]

A magisterial poem. Conjuring a holy city of the imagination, Yeats invokes the Platonic realm of the Ideal, where he hopes his spirit to abide in an eternity beyond this coarse, compromised mortal register of existence. A thing of beauty, whose meaning will resonate as long as men continue to grow old and die.

[@drmpsinha6461]

A very clear reading of Yeats' s Sailing To Byzantium . Every word is pronounced clearly and listeners understand the poem effortlessly .👍

[@2msvalkyrie529]

' The unpurged images of Day recede '' My favourite line in all poetry I think. What does it mean....something inexpressible.

[@infinitequotes7143]

This is a beautiful poem.

[@mosesmbadi]

I've had this poem on repeat since morning. I have been crying since Wednesday and since my introverted ass doesn't have any friends I thought this might be a good way to vent out. On Monday evening my brother went to spend the night at our aunt's place. He went back home the next morning, and at 10 he started saying he wasn't feeling well. He couldn't describe exactly but he complained the whole body ached. They took him to a clinic and they suspect malaria so he was given some malaria drugs. Later that evening he became worse, so they took him back again to the clinic as he was crying that he was in pain. They took a test and nothing was found, so he was given some pain meds and told to still take the malaria medication. In the morning of Wednesday, he woke up his knees, elbows and eyes swollen and he was crying, one could tell he was in a lot of pain. They took him to St. Luke's Eldoret where they did a CT scan, but they said they couldn't see anything. At this point he is crying and in excruciating pain. So they do more tests but nothing is found. The doctor's finally suggest he be put in a coma so they could go deeper into his body. They proceed and a 10+ tubes are inserted into his body.... a few hours later, he is pronounced dead. Later a close examination of the CT scan reveals that he might have had a case of rheumatic fever which had remained mild while doing the damage. He was a sweet little boy who loved animals to death. He was very sharp in school and had even started writing simple computer programs. Thinking about how much pain he went through breaks me little by little. To make matters worse we now have this huge hospital bill (now at Ksh 750,000, $6000) that we need to clear before they release the body. I am completely shattered and don't know what to do. We do have a small fundraising but that is not showings any positive outcomes. Anyway, to you, an online stranger, thank you for listening. Stay safe.

[@loknathbattula9482]

Thanks for bringing back the magic of poetry through your recitation

[@dawidwidera1819]

When read this poem for the first time I didn't understand it. After reading it 10 times it became one of the best poems I have ever read.

[@dowdallerno1]

Really well read. This is how it's supposed to be heard. He is describing life. 🍀☘️👌

[@i.tarunxp]

Every time i try to focus on the lines, the unwanted music comes between. you guys need to understand poetry is itself melodious, melodious through words, that's the beauty of it. Don't flood it with extra emotional music, that really ruins the entire effort of the poet. it's really true, Sometimes Less is more.

[@johnjasonkearney]

Wow.. that is stunningly brilliant. I think it's the best poem I have ever heard ~ thank you for sharing

[@winstonmiller9649]

A wonderful reading with your rasping rich deep tones. I also loved the background musical accompaniment?? Something brief about the form. The first line, (that is no country for old men) seems to hang suspended almost like an answer to a preceeding query. That question will however remain an enigma. Also mysterious in some way and beautiful...

[@devriestown]

Absolutely amazing 👏👏👏 This stuff is getting me through a hard time thank you.

[@johnoleary6939]

This poem is magnificent

[@arjunsinha212]

Though old I be, I feel strong, My eyes so aged, to see naught but the wrong, Void lays my heart, of desire, mirth and song, I shalt sail too to Byzantium; hence I set to journey long.

[@MotivationnX]

I really Love this Channel, Amazing videos

[@phillipneal8194]

Wow !! Excellent read and the music was great !!

[@tyronefrielinghaus3467]

Thank you - loved the powerful, deep, gravelly voice, laden with gravitas.And,of course, the atmospheric, yet not intrusive, music! Also, thanks for the explanation of the poem - that really helped me. I didn't know this particular poem of Yeats. (though I've heard the phrase '...sailing to Byzantium' often, unknowingly. I'm listening next to my all-time favourite poem : Ulysses by Tennyson. I've never heard it spoken yet, so I looking fwd to it on your channel. Thanks RedFrost.

[@liamhudson6567]

The synopsis and analysis of the poem by RedFrost above is so succint and perceptive. Thankyou.

[@niklaswester2215]

This is my go to in times of need

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Always good!!! Forever making a difference🔥🤘🔥

[@UnknownRex]

This voice is amazing!

[@PowerMatrixAnime]

His other poem the Second Coming is quite impressive you should do a video on it.

[@genghisthegreat2034]

....prophetically apocalyptic. It was penned during the Irish War of Independence, 1919-1921, when the British terror troops, the ' Black and Tans' were burning and killing around Kiltartan and Coole.

[@tyronefrielinghaus3467]

Oh, yes, the'Second Coming'! I've heard it set to music by Fashwave/orchestral Synth by 'Xurious' on KZbin. Quite an experience. Almost frightening.

[@elenafoleyfoley168]

What a masterpiece of poetry ⭐⭐⭐

[@jennifermelton9598]

Absolutely beautiful

[@user-lf5uw9nx7h]

Wow. Powerful. Thank you. ❤

[@jeannettelelko2210]

As they thrive on the sunshine and watch for a moon at sunset. Oh windy waters how you've pushed them deep into the sea and the beauty of a splash is now clearly seen of life with heavy waters they head for the shores and can no longer return to their masters adore

[@kooper1001]

Thank you! Just found you.🌺 Valentine’s

[@necpap]

Timeless masterpiece!!!

[@mayankdwivedi9719]

What a voice!

[@edwardtoon6542]

Years loved his greek history...sailing to byzantium..to constantinople

[@manjarishukla8787]

Awesome.

[@captainaomaruvomexekutivko4919]

Just awesome

[@RunningStoic]

This is amazing. Thanks.

[@nolanalexander8696]

Strange I came here from Cyberpunk 2077. That Alt voice reciting this poem, beckoning the sacrifice that I will make.

[@keamoholo4669]

Great.

[@johnpaulsecond4626]

Doug that's a fine job you for Mr Yeats.

[@dram3252]

please bring more poems.. thank you

[@mrsmith9031]

This is brilliant magnificient, my new fave poem, read so well, and lovely music, Yeats did most of it tho

[@bonnogetz]

The artifice of eternity... so good

[@yourlifeguide5324]

Great

[@citizensnid3490]

Yeats one of my favourite poets. What a dude!!

[@jacksongerald882]

Hello Grace how are you doing?

[@nathanhaigler8139]

This was a powerful oration

[@ThomasHyland-eb4ol]

After listening, words fail me, but thankfully, never failed WB Yeats.

[@TheEternalElir]

Here's an excerpt from Guy Gavriel Kay's Sailing to Sarantium. "To say of a man that he was sailing to Sarantium was to say that his life was on the cusp of change: poised for emergent greatness, brilliance, fortune-or else at the very precipice of a final and absolute fall as he met something too vast for his capacity."

[@gmac55]

A most unusual man, eccentric...Irish.

[@checkreactz]

Amazing content as always. You’ve truly inspired me to make my own content. By the way, if you don’t mind may I ask you where do find these background music?

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Have you checked out the audio library on KZbin? Its free, pretty good stuff

[@ceciliaellis6721]

my favourite poet.

[@jacksongerald882]

Hey there Cecilia!!! how are you doing?

[@Talkinglife]

Nice video

[@winstonmiller9649]

What is the title for the music in the background of the " Sailing To Byzantium?" Could you please give the same treatment to a reading of Keat's Ozymandias? Thanks😊🤗🤝🏼💕

[@rjbene5084]

There are a lot of brave men out there that some of the young men should look at!

[@lucabasso94]

Deep

[@qwertlol6892]

Cool)))

[@colinellesmere]

Who is reading this? It's a superb rendition.

[@mactheknife3304]

More Yeats and Patrick Kavanagh please

[@Manu-hn6yw]

Can you make a video on If by Rudyard Kipling with your narration.. please...

[@CAV627]

❤️

[@jaynemaynard4962]

What is the title of the music. My son loves this poem. It speaks to him on a deeper level of mraning.

[@michaelakuto6186]

His next piece uploaded should be The Second Coming, such an amazing poem.

[@bruceg1845]

Turning and Turning in the widening gyre - absolutely

[@bruceg1845]

Yeats, one of the greatest

[@vanessaprinsloo3841]

🌸🌸🌸

[@jacksongerald882]

Hey Vanessa!!! How are you doing?

[@peterbarker3574]

If we are able to put in requests, how about 'Dialogue of Self and Soul.'

[@roadworkahead4187]

Could you guys do a read of the poem “Death has No Dominion”

[@doriangrey115]

They removed the video with saving private Ryan scenes on it. I will be forever indebted to the person who shares that video with me

[@trollnat9857]

@@doriangrey115 Same here. It was masterfully done.

[@doriangrey115]

I wish I downloaded it. Even wrote an email asking them to bring it back or share with me somehow. Never received a reply )=

[@bettybutler3327]

I would like to hear Edgar Allan Poe..the Raven..I know his poetry was kind of sad n dark but i like the Raven⚘

[@AL-dy4or]

Highly recommend "The City of the End of Things" by Archibald Lampman (1861 - 99)

[@markeasteadt]

I'm Still Here by Langston Hughes

[@burakkaganerdogan8412]

hello from the lords and ladies of Istanbul to all!

[@jacksongerald882]

Hey there how are you doing?

[@colsmith434]

Does anyone know the name of the music / composer in this video?

[@vuyaninxele2301]

what song by hammock is this?

[@nowazisjuhad4629]

I rather tried to understand what was Secret code of "On his having arrived at the age of 23... But iris legend change the direction anyway thanx KZbin and beautiful loud voice eternity ❤❤❤😊

[@VictorHBuwa]

Upnext🤥. If by Rudyard Kipling

[@mngeifitzpatrick509]

seraphism and delicious jeopardy of life in otitude

[@billyjean2905]

Cyberpunk 2077 led me here.

[@jordanroblyer4956]

What is the name of this song by hammock?

[@hashambachani]

Mysterium

[@aya_9568]

Who is he? So beautiful voice...

[@englishliterature00]

Please, subscribe my channel, you can get more helpful videos regarding English literature 🌹..

[@dobospeter7201]

free to use???

[@Dumpstermuffin1]

Optimus Prime is making me cry

[@kabigaigangmei3729]

This is exactly how Optimus Prime would be reciting us poem...

[@malcolmborg1]

Which Hammock track is this?

[@malcolmborg1]

Answered my own question in case anyone’s interested: Mysterium

[@pheiwilliamson3651]

Andrew Marvell "To His Coy Mistress"

[@EricHrahsel]

Can you do a Christian poem pls?