HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Dylan Thomas, born 27 October 1914
Dylan Thomas
Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas is truly wonderful, but the best advice I can give you is to listen to the poem read by a Welshman – Richard Burton is wonderful, or by Dylan himself as there are several recordings. This is Burton reading it – sheer bliss!
As well as being a great poet, Dylan was also a superb short story teller – read The Outing about a group of old men on a pub crawl, or A Child’s Christmas in Wales. I’m a member of the Dylan Thomas Society of Australia and have learned so much and just loved my membership. Of course, it is hard to beat Under Milk Wood, but you might also like to try William Christie’s superb Aussie version, Under Mulga Wood.
The best way to experience Dylan Thomas is to listen to him, rather than read him – so find recordings on CD or on-line, and you will soon be converted to his writings!
Dylan Thomas died on 9 November 1953, aged 39.
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Dylan Thomas Omnibus by Dylan Thomas
Richard Burton Reads Dylan Thomas read by Richard Burton
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Christine S
Richard Burton’s reading of the poem elevates it to an entirely different sphere. Magic.
Susannah Fullerton
I agree – absolute magic!