The Raven read by James Earl Jones

[@jo3k1ck455]

I had to listen to this after hearing James Earl Jones' passing. RIP to a legend.

[@Enigma0216]

Fantastic actor, amazing voice

[@cmdrtimsk1281]

Me too. He touched more hearts than he could ever know

[@justinwilliam6534]

Me too I even printed out the poem in his memory for voice acting practice.

[@decromcquin273]

RIP to a real one. I'll miss James Earl Jone's works. This is still my favourite reading of The Raven and I'll keep coming back to it.

[@joyunicycle]

“Join me and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son” “Quoth the raven ‘Nevermore’"

[@Gasoline85]

Why you little...!

[@tara0hhara807]

Niiiccccceeeee!

[@georgethemando378]

"Remember"...

[@MovieFan1912]

@Régisseur Moustachu Farfelu Bart, stop it! He says “nevermore” and that’s all he’ll ever say.

[@MovieFan1912]

@Régisseur Moustachu Farfelu Lisa: Bart, stop it! He says “nevermore” and that’s all he’ll ever say.

[@Hewylewis]

RIP James Earl Jones 1931 - 2024.

[@jamescraig7892]

Poe really gives every writer past, present and future a lesson with this one.

[@ChristianTroyDaniel]

Bart: "You know what would have been scarier than 'nothing'?" Lisa: "What?" Bart: "ANYTHING!"

[@SatanEatsJesus]

Quoth the raven: " EAT MY SHORTS!"

[@ginnyweasly8464]

This better be good !

[@colinhedges4689]

That episode is genuinely the reason I love this poem

[@deforeestwright2469]

Baaaart! He’s establishing mood.

[@okanduygun7424]

„“Why you little!!!“

[@jwaynecon0008]

James Earl Jones could release an album of him reading soup ingredients, and I would buy it, and keep it on repeat in my CD player all damn day long. His voice is so wonderful.

[@HasufelyArod]

He totally should.

[@Dmolina3715]

Is it too late to

[@Jack-gg6dk]

Look simba: everything the light touches is out kingdom. Only this, and nothing more

[@TeaDrinker3000]

Quote the lion: Hakuna Matata

[@popsingerstar]

in my junior year of high school my english teacher had us listen 2 this & read it. when we did i pictured mufasa reading it 2 simba 4 a bedtime story

[@FantasiusTriton1993]

I literally just listened to this just a couple days ago. I don't know how prophetic this is because now I hear that James Earl Jones is gone!

[@Freddsons]

Who is listening to this after the sad news that James Earl Jones has passed away? Rest in peace to the man with the mightiest voice of all time🙏🏻 You will never be forgotten and thanks to all the voices you did in the movies we all watched when we growed up, Like the voice of Darth Vader, The lion king and many many more👏🏻

[@n.s.mcmahon6180]

Had a buddy who owned a raven (not sure if it was legal or not), the thing was actually pretty big, about the size of a parrot. It said all sorts of things and imitated the sound of a modem, this was back when everyone used dialup. It's favorite thing to say around new people was "Never More" because they would fawn over it and give it treats. The thing was REALLY smart, and knew how to work people.

[@wagdawgwag872]

The Raven was meant to be a parrot, but Poe thought it wouldn't fit such a dark story, so he changed it.

[@matlord8799]

+Horzcoch Johnson Ravens are quite smart animals.

[@gatorkt1]

Myna bird.

[@MetalGod999]

The Raven is the greatest poem ever written, narrated by the King of the Golden Baritone Voice, James Earl Jones. God bless you, James Earl Jones! Quoth the Raven...Nevermore!

[@jerzybyron]

The Raven: By Darth Vader.

[@MythicSuns]

quoth the raven....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[@josephmilsark123]

My favorite role of James Earl Jones is Mufasa in THE LION KING franchise.

[@popsingerstar]

Joe's Variety Channel ditto! i can picture him reading this 2 simba 4 a bedtime story

[@EndlessLaymon]

The Raven read by Tulsa Doom

[@NeverIfyWithTheSound]

Byron Gamez The Raven by Mufasa

[@petatap]

Finally a version without music and sound effects. Thank you !!!

[@gamecubeclock]

Hearing James Earl Jones reading this poem is both somewhat creepy and slightly calming at the same time. It really captures the mood of the poem.

[@zautious09]

pee

[@Nanthecowdog]

So this is what Mufasa did in his spare time!

[@CallicoJackracham]

Mufasa channeling his inner Darth Vader

[@maggiekwan6700]

haha

[@popsingerstar]

Nan the Cowdog in my junior year of high school my english teacher had us read the poem & listen 2 this. when i listened i pictured simba laying on his back & mufasa reading it 2 him 4 a bedtime story

[@turtleanton6539]

Vader

[@jacknurzinski5090]

Quoth the raven, "eat my shorts"

[@americafirst4585]

Jack Nurzinski fuck you

[@MorganaCherish]

America first someone clearly doesn't enjoy the simpsons

[@scottbuck6680]

lmao thats how i know what this is

[@bookwoman53]

Jack Nurzinski “Bart, he’s establishing mood” Lisa

[@mikejorsch304]

No Bart he said Nevermore and that all he will ever say

[@krakhaid]

His voice here is absolutely perfect for the mood of the poem. We are so used to hearing Jones' voice as an instrument of power, yet he emotes a certain touch of vulnerability, tinged with a slight fear that his veneer of placidity will crack, exposing the hurt and scared individual behind his masculine demeanor. It's perfect for this poem, which I've always regarded as a work of tragedy first, then horror. Not to mention, his voice itself is simply beautiful.

[@SatanicBunny666]

The part in which he says "Darkness there, and nothing more!" sends shivers down my spine. Such an awesome voice - and a great poem.

[@lemmdus2119]

Mr Jones you will be missed! You’re reading of this poem is my favorite. I will listen to it evermore.

[@elmaquiavelico5709]

This hits different now. RIP to a legend.

[@bs06c2m]

RIP a legend, always my favourite reading.

[@skullkidsteve721]

Yup…this is about as perfect as one would imagine. RIP.

[@Joey-db8bv]

He has an amazing voice for narration!

[@melhupby]

"Perched and sat" Best line he says in this poem.

[@Bragglord]

@1:40 'Darkness there, and nothing more' Goosebumps every time

[@sinnerseekingsalvation779]

The most aesthetically pleasing piece of writing ever composed.

[@IamMcBobb]

I like to think this is from some strange alternate reality where Darth Vader is reading this to Luke and Leia to make them to go sleep on All Hallow's Eve.

[@desromic]

omahamaho babe a.k.a. an alternate reality.

[@dianeburnham9336]

Love it!!

[@NathanielDowell]

Someone's used this reading to make a Darth Vader version that's very convincing.

[@jeffswords645]

just before Love day

[@susshexe7987]

O_O WHAAAAAAAAT?!!!!!! THIS IS SOOO EPIC I CAN'T EVEN... What!? The voice of one of the coolest characters ever James Earl Jones reading my favorite writer ever? This is just too much!

[@PyrozPlayground]

Surprisingly, I also can't even.

[@bballer191]

* farts *

[@ChangedMyNameFinally69]

Eugh God remember when people used to talk like this?

[@StarWarsStory]

RIP James, thankyou for the lovely lovely voice.

[@Kurios4Life08]

Darth Vader sure knows how to read a poem!

[@sandcrawler200]

I was just thinking someone should overlap some Vader breathing. Lol. Maybe some John Williams.

[@popsingerstar]

Kurios4Life08 so does mufasa

[@deedee1902]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing this. The inimitable voice of James Earl Jones' reading of Edgar Allan Poe's brilliant poem is captivating. Jones simultaneously breathes life into the poem, yet makes one hold one's breath in fear. They are both national treasures!

[@ElissabetteRing]

I never have really thought of this as a 'horror' classic, it's sad, really. He wrote this over a time while his wife was dying of consumption; and it's about what he was to be feeling when she finally succumbed to death. :( Beautiful and brilliant!!

[@kwanzuthrash666]

Rest in power, the greatest voice of all time

[@BillyOddWorks]

James Earl Jones delivers with a voice like golden gravel. Rapturously shaded in meditative gloom. One can never get enough of this master actor and the masterwork he recites here. I have tried it myself this week, put The Raven up, gave it a go. What a difficult, dense, moving piece -- and getting to its heart is a compelling challenge. I invite all to see what I have done with the poem. Meanwhile -- thanks for the time with the prodigious Jones!

[@Batman8657]

Awesome. AWESOME. Simply awesome. Came about this looking for the Simpsons version and was pleasantly surprised to find he actually recorded the whole thing. What a voice.

[@RyanRidenour-he5te]

I've heard this poem read by several famous people and James Earl Jones does the best in my opinion

[@hannahjolittle]

Mufasa reading bedtime stories to Simba.

[@popsingerstar]

in my junior year of high school my english teacher had us read the poem & listen 2 this. thats what i pictured when i listened

[@MaidMirawyn]

Back here to honor two American icons this Halloween. Rest in peace, James Earl Jones

[@MichalePayne]

The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe is an example of a fabulous ability to use the English language. The brilliant Poe uses an array of poetic devices to portray a terrifying state of mind. James Earl Jones steps up to the plate with an eerie and perfect reading of this tongue twister. It gave me goose bumps!!

[@JehuDagohoy]

I've always thought that the Raven was the abyss within him. I always pictured the raven as the incarnation of the darkness within the man. By darkness I mean all the uncertainty and fear one experiences. It is all the questions and unanswered cries. And when the man asks the raven what his name was, I think that he was asking himself who he was. And all the raven ever said was "Nevermore"

[@lycakito1814]

Good journey James Earl Jones, you have been a familiar fatherly voice throughout my entire life

[@고구마-q9l]

This voice is giving me goose bumps ...... amazing lol

[@KangabetYT]

RIP my man, your voice overs are a masterpiece

[@thomashargreaves9319]

James Earl Jones..... the voice that causes your heart to explode, your lungs to contract, your eyes to tear up, your nose to crinkle, your mouth to drop open, and your hormones to go crazy.

[@josephhesketh7676]

Your arms get heavy, knees weak, palms are sweaty there's vomit on your sweater already, moms spaggetti

[@popsingerstar]

his voice is insane

[@jewkid360]

Edgar Allen Poe is the poet who brought to me the wonderful world of poetry. Whenever I lack/lose my flare for writing poetry I listen/read Poe. Tis' truly an inspiring poet!! If only I could have meet him..

[@KatherineMoon616]

Soo wonderful to listen to it on a november evening. ^^

[@mihneageorgescu7406]

Precisely my thoughts.

[@adamgtrap]

When I think "What is the perfect voice for a man? Powerfull, gentle and unmistakable", I think... Mufasa! I love James Earl Jone's voice.

[@BlackNGoldRules]

He and Morgan Freeman are perfect for things like this.

[@caspence56]

The most hypnotic voice ever. James Earl Jones could recite the alphabet and I would listen, entranced!

[@theBrownNinja503]

Rest in peace James Earl Jones.

[@danielbolger007]

My favourite poem. Well read and articulated. Masterful writing.

[@alyssatipton5080]

We shall look upon his like...nevermore

[@MrCdorsey]

My favorite poem of all time. James Earl Jones reciting it just makes it better!

[@laynemcguinness4530]

RIP James 😢

[@DoctorXander]

RIP James Earl Jones. No one else comes close

[@SamuelOemering]

I could listen to him read twilight

[@norton1945]

If I was Poe, I would want to be remembered by this poem with the reading by James Earl Jones. Best reading EVER!

[@gamecubeclock]

"Here I opened wide the door. Darkness there and nothing more." That image gives me goosebumps. Having James Earl Jones read it makes it all the more scary in its simplicity.

[@ShadowxBoi]

It really does make me happy that there are nigh on half a million who share a love for such great art.

[@bill_lumbergh]

When you look at the upload date to confirm it’s not AI. RIP

[@elelvlent]

This is the BEST!!! James Earl Jones has the Greatest voice. Hands DOWN!

[@SCSAsJorts]

Rest in peace sir Jones

[@popsingerstar]

r.i.p. james aka mufasa & darth vader :( u had the most awesome damn voice ever. im gonna miss it :(

[@noahtwo7089]

Rest in peace James. 🫡🫡🫡

[@eriniaeliz1502]

I adore this poem and this version of this poem. Mr. Jones has a flawless voice.

[@bouk6989]

i needed music to not creep me, this sends chills DOWN MY SPINE

[@hellointernet.heyguys6676]

SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS SEND SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINE

[@nboon7094]

They only want to socialise but I don't think you should.

[@anthonyblakley5335]

I will never get tired of listening to this.

[@QuentinClemensLove]

Fucking goosebumps! In my opinion, Poe is, by far, the very best of literary geniuses ever to have walked this earth.

[@DivineRequiem]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I love this version! I cann't thank you enough, Mr Jones has such a beautiful voice for this poem!

[@Bluebreeze108]

My Ears have been to heaven and back within the time period of 7 minutes

[@sonial.8345]

my favorite one! So.....attractive voice

[@CaptainUnusual]

I'm so glad this exists. Ever since seeing the Simpsons version I have wondered on and off over the years if there's a complete version of him reading this. No, this is not read by a fictional character - it's read by the great actor James Earl Jones.

[@YungJeepers]

2019 vibe check

[@Palmersrv]

Fabulous! His voice sends shivers down my spine.

[@_booth7992]

Music to my ears...

[@Lady_Lily_Blubaugh]

oh my god same!

[@gas_3d]

This is one of my absolute favorite poem of all time!

[@NellelyBlueSky]

😢😭 R.I.P❤

[@kaledivh]

Would love James Earl Jones to read more of Poe's work. He has the perfect voice to set the scene.

[@lockejawe4050]

Luke I am... going to show you my favorite poem

[@jm79design]

Wow. Love James Earl Jones and Edgar Alan Poe. Awesome!

[@jacksonlechlak6698]

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 some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door- Only this and nothing more.” 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. 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.” 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. 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 stillness 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. 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!” 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. 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.” 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 upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as “Nevermore.” 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 farther 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.” 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’.” But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy 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.” 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! 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 hath 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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” 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!

[@Erniethecatisawesom]

I remember when I was in 7th grade, my 7th grade teacher read this to me. I loved this! When she read it, she turned off all the lights and had one lamp on. This is awesome!

[@JacobMKeeneAKADrPepperKing]

James Earl Jones does indeed have an awesome bass voice!!! Also, maybe I should do a dramatic reading of this (or maybe something else) in my Tony Jay impression!

[@tomterahedrob]

Cerebral massage his voice is.Deeply soothing.

[@TheLaserlord]

It's rarther intesting how close the autosubs get at times.

[@whydid666]

The grief I feel listening to a man I never meet and now never will, read to me the Raven from beyond.

[@josephmilsark123]

James Earl Jones: Quoth the Raven. Bart: Eat my shorts!

[@JIG-vn8sc]

Finally I've been waiting for that comment

[@josephmilsark123]

America first Eat my shorts.

[@oldjaye]

Well.... that was intense. Love this poem. Love this reading....I need to sit down for a bit.

[@socalemeraldaztecanrhino922]

What a voice Mr. Jones had. He could have embarked on a secondary career doing ASMR if he wanted to. He had the proper instrument for it. Farewell to a legend. 🫡

[@TenstimDabis]

I want Morgan Freeman to read this.

[@c7uk]

Oswaldo Restrepo ...except that’s Samuel L Jackson 🤔

[@c7uk]

Tenstim Dabis - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaPVi2V_i5yhbLs

[@ImJustSayin2014]

The fact that this exists fills me with a joy I can't describe.

[@MechaMaster20]

Simba!!! You have deliberately disobeyed me.

[@all4musica]

James Earl Jones has the perfect voice to recite " The Raven"~Thank you for posting~

[@laurinbronson4164]

Anyone else envisioning Darth Vader saying this o.O

[@ClearwaterSubProductions]

Sorry, I hear Mufasa.

[@laurinbronson4164]

Now i'm envisioning this!

[@popsingerstar]

Laurin Bronson what i said?

[@laurinbronson4164]

actually both!

[@popsingerstar]

CSXfoamer97 so do i

[@Assassin0798]

James Earl Jones Voice and an Edgar Allen Poe poem voice over heaven right here

[@Pikaroth]

2019 checking in!

[@alexquintero4179]

2020

[@Pikaroth]

@@alexquintero41792023!

[@yourfriend5883]

I've been addicted to this poem

[@fortheloveofcinema]

This should be the voice of Darkseid in Justice League.

[@Alexandria815]

BEST poem ever written, by the BEST poet ever, read by the BEST voice ever!!!

[@abduld]

my favorite thing on youtube

[@dennisneo1608]

This is the greatest American poem.