Lord Byron meets The King Blues

Posted by David J. Bauman on May 29, 2012May 29, 2012

I suppose this wasn’t shown on BBC America, because somehow I missed this back in 2009. Apparently there was a show called Poetry Season. I wasn’t familiar with The King Blues either until seeing this poem online today, after which I started looking up their songs. And the reason I bring this to you tonight, in case you missed it too, is in hopes of sparking your imagination. What innovative way could an old poem that means something to you be presented in a relevant way to a new generation?

What do you think? Does the poem fit this setting? Does it matter what I think if it speaks to the kids? Judging by the comments on the YouTube page, it seems to have been effective.

So We'll Go No More a Roving
By Lord Byron (George Gordon)

So, we'll go no more a roving
   So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
   And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
   And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
   And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
   And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a roving
   By the light of the moon.

Published by David J. Bauman

Poet, librarian, birder. Author of Angels & Adultery (2018), Co-author of Mapping the Valley: Hospital Poems (2021), both from Seven Kitchens Press, 2018. First chapbook: Moons, Roads, and Rivers (Finishing Line Press, 2017) View all posts by David J. Bauman

9 Comments Add yours

Tilly Bud says:

May 29, 2012 at 3:21 am

I don’t have any innovations but I love this video. It’s great to see old works presented in new ways.

I was in my late twenties when I discovered Shakespeare could be done in less traditional ways. I loved that revelation.

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1. sonofwalt says:
  
  May 29, 2012 at 12:49 pm
  
  Awesome. Yes, I think it was a local performance of “Kiss Me Kate,” which was a modern play about a group of actors performing the “Taming of the Shrew.” I must say it opened literary doors in my head as well.
  
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Deborah Avila says:

May 29, 2012 at 9:38 pm

Iits different indeed~ Shakespeare can’t be compared in my understanding ~ Thanks sweetie!

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Ian Moone says:

May 30, 2012 at 3:17 am

I thought it worked well, something old brought into a contemporary setting, but still quite relevant today he spoke and stressed very well indeed

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1. sonofwalt says:
  
  May 30, 2012 at 6:45 pm
  
  I’m glad you liked it. I was really impressed with it myself.
  
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The "SoKey" Experience says:

May 31, 2012 at 4:06 pm

I absolutely loved this interpretation. This is the thinking we need to explore in order to reach more people. Poetry is beauty, but its grit and grime and life — like life. I shared this on my FB poetry page – I am interested in the response. Thank you for this post.

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1. sonofwalt says:
  
  June 1, 2012 at 12:32 am
  
  I agree with you 104%. Thanks for sharing this on Facebook! I am honored. Oh, and you are so very welcome. I’m glad you joined in. 🙂
  
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