The Raven: Read by Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken reading The Raven, I was going to make it really visually trippy but thought Poe's image was trippy enough!! Walken has the perfect voice for this poem, one of my favorites! p.s. I did not add the guitar, this is original audio.

[@bonnieplasha4684]

Shut your eyes when listening. It makes Chris's recitation even more compelling! The breathlessness in his voice at the beginning of the 15th verse...so powerful and moving. What a masterpiece!

[@modurhead]

2:55 whoever decided to add the guitar deserves a kick in the nuts

[@TeaParty1776]

But his guitar-playing while he's nut-kicked should be in the recording

[@genia106]

I love Poe and Christopher Walken...

[@mynewchanel]

the narrator should stop talking... ...and start walken

[@SiGhast]

Google wont let me curse F0ck Gaygle I didn't know what to expect upon clicking "Show more", but I didn't expect that. Cracked me up. Good job.

[@ryank8843]

Quoth the raven, cowbell more

[@aubreyharper1380]

+William Dixon - The world needs more of this kind of brilliance.

[@eyrefernandez4924]

😂😂😂

[@ferociousgumby]

"Quoth the Raven" (SQUAWWWK! Squaaaawk!), Ne- (guitar groan) ver- (fake wind sound) more (queasy siren-like extraneous racket)

[@lonelydeath]

Yas

[@sajateacher]

Walken + Poe = Awesomeness

[@ronharveyII]

I just spent an hour listening to all these videos doing this poem: this one is by far the best. I am a Vincent Price Fan and Walken blew him out of the water! That there are no visual effects was a wise choice Poe's face and Walken's voice is well enough for this poem. Poe really was insane.

[@santiagodavidmarquez8684]

I just spent that hour but I haven’t listened the Vincent Price, Yet. Love this one, Walken’s reading pays tribute to the verses at this present time; i mean Timeless poem read nowadays and still gothic as 1800’s years.

[@bonnieplasha4684]

Tis a fine line between genius and insanity...

[@okchata52]

Christopher Walken could read a Dr. Seuss book and make it epic! I love this, thanks for posting!

[@jacobbrashears]

Then this wretched bird beguiling Gene's sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern impression of the words he loudly swore, "Fever have I, Mister Frenkle", louder hits Gene tried to sprinkle Ghastly grim and ancient Raven tearing out the music's core - Tell me what thy problem here is with our music's dynamite store!" Quoth the Raven, "Cowbell: More."

[@samuelcalebwee1070]

+jacobbrashears you deserve the internet.

[@duzzitmatter8679]

+jacobbrashears BLOODY BRILLIANT!!

[@avisco01]

+jacobbrashears You win comments.

[@samcrorie]

LOL you sir are genius

[@shammient]

Holy s#*t. I nearly died laughing.

[@ragnarrklangsrok1685]

He really conveys that the narrator is descending line by line into madness. Beautiful.

[@MrBGB2012]

They picked the right guy to recite this classic poem by Edgar Allan Poe! Actor Christopher Walken has got to be one of the most eccentric & creepiest people out there! Plus,the way he talks...imitated by many comedians! A very good read!

[@shanb1980]

He's got the perfect voice for this poem. Would have been perfect without the guitar, though. 😕

[@robertminnis3244]

More cowbell though?

[@Cambrandreth]

I agree. The guitar did not add to it.

[@VarnasL]

He's got the best voice for everything

[@kamenanew9867]

I think it adds atmosphere myself. Otherwise it's Walken reading a thing. That's cool and all but...not that unique. This is unique tho.

[@bonnieplasha4684]

​@@robertminnis3244 🤭🤭

[@xpirate16]

Christopher Walken is amazing! his voice is the best

[@legobrickology9167]

This is literally perfect, if you put it into the computer there be no mistakes to be found. Surely one of the greatest writers of all time.

[@darkfanggirla1]

Christopher Walken gives the story such life, such MEANING!! I rarely ever find such emotion in a poem!! In other words, I LOVE THIS!!! XD

[@Anamaglena1]

I grew up in the Bronx very near where his home was. He was a legend and I having grown up in the Bronx can understand how he must have heard sounds at that time that made him think and write such amazing works.. Thank you Edgar Allen Poe!

[@yosmidgen]

My favorite poem, ever since I was such a young little girl! I couldn't imagine it being read any bit improved. Christopher Walken, please live forever

[@Prottype]

Best reading of The Raven I ever heard! The expression is just right and not flat or overbearing

[@aaalayna]

Loooooove this :) really appreciate the picture zooming too, simple and effective. All time favorite.

[@franklajoie2507]

I love Poe, I love the raven and I love Christopher Walken this is perfect interpretation of the poem

[@cannedcatfood]

Haha, the part where he says "Allan, Allan! I know it's Allan" Reminds me of those talking animals. The groundhog that keeps yelling "Allan, Allan!"

[@kevinleal7188]

Great Audio. Even though this is really eerie piece by Edgar Allen Poe, this is the one that always brings me to tears. Absolute sorrow in the heaviest fashion.

[@RbullT]

Christopher walken scares the shit out of me

[@dae1366]

he's only an actor, politicians scare the shit out of me!

[@aedanclarke]

da E Correction: They're all actors. Some are just more shit at acting than others and have more power, but they're acting.

[@Blayk133]

poetry is so much more awesome when its being read to you through headphones, especially something so gothic as the raven

[@suicidalxsecrets]

"Quoth the raven 'Eat My Shorts!'" "Baaaarrrtt ! " xD

[@scottcuiso5181]

My all-time favorite writer narrated by one of my all-time favorite voices.

[@Zaz7y]

An excellent rendition. Christopher Walken breathes the life of suspense into a masterful classic long forgotten by modern horror. A piece that is often overlooked nowadays is here made ready to chill you to the bone. :)

[@builderbrothersproductions9340]

The Raven By Edgar Allen Poe Published on January 29, 1847 [Stanza 1] Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. `'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door - Only this, and nothing more.' [Stanza 2] Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore - Nameless here for evermore. [Stanza 3] And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating `'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door - Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more,' [Stanza 4] Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, `Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; - Darkness there, and nothing more. [Stanza 5] Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!' This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!' Merely this and nothing more. [Stanza 6] Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. `Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore - Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; - 'Tis the wind and nothing more!' [Stanza 7] Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door - Perched, and sat, and nothing more. [Stanza 8] Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, `Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven. Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore - Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 9] Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door - Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as `Nevermore.' [Stanza 10] But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only, That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered - Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before - On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.' Then the bird said, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 11] Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, `Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store, Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore - Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore Of "Never-nevermore."' [Stanza 12] But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door; Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore - What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking `Nevermore.' [Stanza 13] This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er, She shall press, ah, nevermore! [Stanza 14] Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. `Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 15] `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! - Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore - Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 16] `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore - Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore - Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore?' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 17] `Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting - `Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' [Stanza 18] And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore!

[@MinddKidzag]

Ha...that's so Raven.

[@fred6059]

I love Walken's voice more than any other humans.

[@willnot5687]

I have listed to other readings but this is the BEST

[@Claymore84517]

I don't think i have ever ben so creeped about this poem then i have until i heard this version. Well done...

[@metsfan784]

Heard this on satellite radio during Halloween time.... Very cool.

[@edithann1284]

I so enjoy christopher Walken! My uncle had that poem memorized and used to quit it for us. What chill! What a thrill!

[@everythingispain8433]

All hail Christopher Walken

[@DIDUKNOW7777]

I love the dark mystery of Poe. Seems he was indeed in touch with his "plutonian shore."

[@lilpotayto]

"Tapping at my chamber doh-err" I love Walken's voice!

[@specterRaven]

Beautifully read by Christopher Walken. He has a voice fitting for reading Poe's works.

[@stevenhayes859]

It actually is him. I thought it might be an impersonator or something.

[@AddisonScott1]

Christopher Walken can read anything and get any type of person glued to what he is saying, I remember not liking this that much until now

[@Rankerquat]

Ugh. Not a fan of the loud background effects....

[@acesand888]

I have always loved Vincent Price's version of this reading, but I just cam across this, and I love it. Walken rules the roost!!!

[@adebisiade]

Walken and Poe The Shit

[@alanleespin]

I found this some years ago, impressed. I have looked at various other versions over the years and I think their use of graphics is over the top, distracting from the words. Well done, mate - best version ever.

[@1911m1a1ellis]

Poor old Poe. He had a ton of shit to cope with in his life.

[@vh7876]

One of the best recitations I've heard so far. I love Poe's Raven.

[@emanuelbuesing1]

It's 2019.... can someone remove the guitar and reupload, then link it here please!?! Like if agree!!

[@Kasaix]

This is an awesome reading. Christopher Walken does it so well.

[@Kingtiens]

edgers not my name anymore.......call me nightpain

[@equinoxz08]

conformist

[@elspiclatino]

EquinoxzHD poser

[@Bujjcun]

elspic latino i just wana drink coffeeey

[@ngstatuary1751]

Call me....... VELVET THUNDER

[@Acw279]

Christopher Walken’s voice always makes me laugh, so despite the fact that I love this poem, I can’t help but chuckle.

[@S0lidState]

Willem Dafoe might be good at this.

[@rogergilmour8805]

Oh, this is eerie - Walken could never tell a bedtime story to children without scaring the crap out of them!

[@Allagi22]

That electric guitar really ruins the whole thing. Totally uncalled for.

[@Zen_Phony]

The pure disgust I felt when I heard that was most similar to dying.

[@ChaceDavinchay]

It grew on me

[@Jason-je7qj]

this audio was probably recorded in the 80s or early 90s lol

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

I agree, it should not have been used without cowbell.

[@xXxpuddinxXxcup]

***** RADICAL!

[@calliopaeia]

I love Poe, I love The Raven and I love Christopher Walken! What a great amalgam!

[@quehay45]

7.8/10 Too much guitar riff, not enough cowbell.

[@lindajohnson3272]

WAHAHAHA!!! good one

[@TorontoIam]

LOOOOOLLLLL

[@themooseisloose111]

This is my marching band theme next year. I love it.

[@ZimGunsbergSL]

I love the way he reads this, but I just wish it were available without the stupid music and sound effects.

[@redcroft308]

A-fuckin-men brother.

[@yandarger2818]

No one sane feels the same

[@bonnieplasha4684]

Chris is so talented. His voice alone would have painted such a fantastic picture... the sound effects were, to me, distracting. Nonetheless, I quite enjoyed it! 10/20/2023

[@FireMan1240]

I pass Poe's grave often over the corse of my week. I will allways love his wrightings. This is the best reading of the Reven I have ever heard.

[@debbyotoole]

Brilliant! Better than the readings by Christopher Lee and Vincent Price. Love the background sounds, including the subtle electric guitar. :)

[@NixieShimo]

I used to have this audio on the home PC back when I was a child. When they were still a little on the big and bulky side. It was the first reading of the poem I had heard (in memory) and I thought the guitars were awesome. That computer no longer exists and I love the extra sound effects now over the guitar. I also like the way Christopher Walken reads this. Like he's really feeling it, a little instead of just reading a poem.

[@spiritalight]

Quoth the Raven "Never...more cow bell!"

[@stepsforslowdancing]

The Raven may very well be my favourite poem. I never fail to read it every Halloween. This is a really great reading. Walkenis perfect for this. Normally I would shy away from background sounds but I think they add to this reading. Very well done over all.

[@sandroilpelato7153]

It needs more cow bells

[@opheliarises4906]

+sandro ilpelato EPIC…LMAO!

[@sandroilpelato7153]

@Hjfhcnfnc Jdjddj I think I'll keep it here until 2040

[@Stibsart]

I never got this poem until I heard it read by someone with an accent close to Poe's own. The way Walken drawls the "ore" sounds like a raven (or a crow, perhaps.)

[@brianmtq]

Anybody here just cause you didnt feel like reading it yourself?

[@MiXedPlague]

you know it

[@HunterRodrigez]

i just want to learn it so i can recite it from the top of my head one day... why ? just because i feel like it

[@LilMsAngelofMusic]

Nope, I'm an English Major who has read this poem about five hundred times. My professor suggested listening to this reading.

[@lilyfeather4472]

I love English literature, especially the work of Edgar Allan Poe. This is perfect.

[@nomarsenrab]

Scooch closer children, don't make me tell you again about the scooching

[@brakezhell]

lmao.....read it and got it....

[@JohnWray89025]

This is my favorite poem. Poe was a freakin' genius.

[@stevegosch3077]

the only better reading is the great Vincent Price.

[@HipHopOpatamus47]

I love this poem, all time fave!!!

[@jojoquigley7741]

Does Christopher Walken scare the cr*p out of himself ?

[@MausoleumOfFlesh]

this actually played in my class a few years back, i couldnt believe my ears. nor can i believe i found it on youtube.

[@rehmsmeyer]

#2spooky

[@melloshello100]

I love Christopher's voice. this is a keeper!! =)

[@watchucallme]

Morgan freeman should read this

[@beonce304]

yasssss!!!!

[@morganfreeman7253]

I'm on it

[@keldonmcfarland2969]

James Earl Jones did a great job on the Simpsons Treehouse of Terror

[@SoulessxxSpirit]

this voice is so amazing love it. for my eng III class, i'm writing a remake for the raven and this is completely getting me in the mood.

[@SageSmokes]

I'mma let you finish but HP Lovecraft had the best book ever this year.

[@lyam409]

i learned this whole poem by memory for my english class. still know it. its nice to say"oh i know a poem thats 18 stanzas long!"

[@LeonardSmith1945]

The crappy background is pointless

[@xexious2]

Leonard Smith I think it's just a mad jumble of weird ass noises, which adds to the descent into insanity of the narrator, I understand how it seems pointless and dumb to some, but I love it! to me this is a story of madness and not sadness which is the way that most try to show it off as through the music, though apparantly there is a more dramatic music version of walken's reading, so hooray now both people are happy

[@FunM0nkey]

Poe has an amazing way of putting words in a rhythmic form.

[@branphillips9546]

Someone please remove that stupid guitar.....

[@FishLocal]

Wicked! I love Poe and Walken, no one has read it better.

[@PaladinswordSaurfang]

Would be better if Morgan Freeman read it...

[@Xetxuna]

This is too freakin' perfect... wtf... why didn't I think of looking for this before.. It makes so much sense for some reason..

[@rassilon44]

The music makes for a very abstract noise. Which really does convey the very complexity and meaning of this poem. And it really does convey more emotion and more of the dark complexity rather than it just being plainly read by Walkens voice. Walken himself puts inflection into some of his words and ultimately, with the modulation upon his voice. It does create a dark drama about the poem.

[@DKChubs]

Still the best of the readings I've heard. Sir Christopher Lee's may be more powerful at times, but Walken's urgency takes the cake.

[@SuperAuset]

I agree with you, dear Lady. This poem, read by Christopher walken, is a rare treat!

[@bret14jb]

"Dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before"...man, Poe was awesome. It's unreal what that man did with the English language.

[@alicepetrick]

We have to recite one verse of this poem by memory today! Im gonna ace it! This poem is so fun to listen to

[@davidefassola5951]

Today, 19 January 2015 Mr. Poe has 206 years. Happy birthday!

[@ChloeCinema]

That's my birthday too.

[@FlynnLives2012]

This is one of the best and most powerful Poems ever written!

[@Asgard314]

Christopher Walkin, the man who uttered the immortal hammy line, "This is not over! Bears!", is a complete badass... O__O

[@TheLisergicQueen]

This reading is so...dark, disturbing,..the athmosphere is the right one to rapresent at best this amazing poem! Poe would have been proud of it ;D

[@rpevley]

This to be one of the most awesome things I've ever heard. Christopher Walken reading Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven...yeah...that just happened...

[@Tob1Kadach1]

Love Christopher Walken's version because he gets so into it :)

[@pvtrichter8816]

***** he gets into everything! he can't help but sound intense and creepy even if he were reading DR SUESS!!

[@unholysniper25]

edgar allen poe is someone that noone will ever forget. he was a better poet when he was a madman than normal. r.i.p. edgar my braskii!

[@abbiefranks5831]

A fun reading to share with my high school class. I think the guitar and bird sounds enhance the mood.

[@talap16]

The epic word play between the two youtubers in the comments. Simply amazing

[@LilDemon147]

i always thought walken's voice was wierd, but its so perfect for this

[@NICKY752]

I would have loved it if Jim Morrison and the Doors had done a rendition of this song. Jim's unique voice reading the poem and the guitar in the background would be brilliant.