"Slough" by John Betjeman (read by Tom O'Bedlam)
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- Опубліковано 26 жов 2024
- An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling).
The Office, Series 1 is sold "appropriately adorned with John Betjeman's poem Slough. " Therefore this reading is appropriately adorned with a picture of Ricky Gervais.
The Statue of Sir John is at St Pancras Station.
Actually Slough has improved a little since Sir John made his opinions known. Whether there's a connection, I don't know.
I'm reading it, and the name I use here is Tom O'Bedlam. Everything in this SpokenVerse channel is read by me - I hope you'll listen to a few more
After all these years, I still come here when I cant sleep and l still find such tragic relevance of this poem. Thank you for uploading this, you have touched my life in a very real way Sir. Thank you.
I REALLY do love this poem, and a very moving voice as well ..
thanks a lot
You have watched the David Brent skit on this poem, haven't you? I beginning to wonder if you understand the connection....
It's at the top of Related Videos.
This is one of the most vicious pieces of writing about the state of a nation ever. Brilliant piece, and solid reading to go with it.
Thanks for another wonderful rendition of Betjeman, Tom. I really jel with Betjeman, same era, and same area, so accurate and for me so nostalgic.
You're welcome. I consider these readings to be in the pubic domain. Perhaps you could mention my name and channel in the credits. All the best, Tom.
I didn't say what the poem was about, did I?
The reason for the picture of David Brent was merely because this poem appears on the cover of the DVD series of "The Office" Like Poetic Justice, y'know. Nothing more than a visual joke.
Thank you very much for providing this and the other poems. Adding a human voice to the written text really brings another dimension to them. Good poetry should be shared, like the poet Roque Dalton wrote " poetry, like bread, is for everyone "
With a few alterations to the products this poem now speaks of all market towns in post 1960's Britain.
No you have the wrong end of the stick. It was Ricky Gervais as David Brent who criticised this poem (satirically, it's British humour). Betjamen was long dead before the David Brent character came into existence.
The friendly bombs. There is no other way to think of them and still stay half sane.
I have to apologise SpokenVerse, I used your reading for a uni project I had a day to do. I'll be happy to take it down if you wish.
I was kidding. They couldn't possibly afford me.
Apply for it, give them some of these videos.
Yes, it's my voice - I read everything in this channel. No, I'm not a professional actor.
Perfect. Now its bogus Irish bars,Aussie bars, American bars as well as Tudor bars.
Rather than be educated by Betjeman we've resigned ourselves, indeed embraced hell even more.
Marvellous poem very well read...
very nice, great poem
Who's the man reading the poem? Rather good rendition I thought.
Wow, do you really think so?
Is that your voice? That is great! Are you a professional actor or something?
I confess that I first heard this poem done by Ricky Gervais. His portrayal of a philistine par excellence is brillant.
He gets the cocky ignorance of that type, their devotion to the practical that makes Betjeman's complaints seem like ranting.
Now, when Betjeman wrote this, wasn't the class of person he was revulsed by really coming into their own? And when did he pass?
The seventies, I believe. God, could he even write of the popular culture that's seized the reins now.
he describes the hell hole of modern britian to perfection.
come friendly hale bop comet and fall on this whole slave pen of misery
i dont want to leave the house anymore.the sight of modern britian depresses me.
You could get a job in that, seriously. Thing's like reading people's statements in court, you would be great at that!
@SpokenVerse legend.
lol
I've done so, not in the credits, but in the description, people like you, who create works and readings for all of us to enjoy and distribute. I'll try and add my video as a response to this, if it's good enough.
I don't mean to breach any goodwill of uploading this, but I've been requested to create a short video to this poem, and your recording is far better than anything I could manage, so I will have to use your soundtrack.