Strange things done in the Midnight Sun-BBC Poetry

Subject: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 12:49 PM

An unusual title for a series of 15 minute daily narrative poetry readings on BBC Radio 4 at 3.30pm (BST)

Tomorrow is one of my favourites, Christina Rosetti's "Goblin Market" - it never fails to raise "goose pimples"

Thursday is Robert Service's "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee"

Available, after broadcast, on Listen Again

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 12:00 AM

I think "Strange things done in the midnight sun" is a phrase from Cremation of Sam McGee. Debby McClatchy has put that poem to music.

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 12:03 AM

Isn't it "neath the Midnight Sun"?

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 12:04 AM

"There are strange things done
'neath the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold.>>"

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun-BBC Poetry
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 02:20 AM

The Digital Tradition and several Websites have "'neath the midnight sun," but just as many have "in the midnight sun." I have two printed Robert W. Service anthologies, and both have in. I think I'll stick with in until somebody provides incontrovertible proof that my printed sources are wrong.
Rosetti's "Goblin Market" is here (click), or you can download a whole book of Christina Rosetti poetry at Project Gutenberg.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun-BBC Poetry
From: Emma B
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 04:42 AM

Shame on me I didn't instantly recognize the title and I have many of Robert Service's poems too! (incidently the edition I have has "in" the midnight sun)

Thanks for the link Joe but there's nothing quite like hearing these narrative poems well........... narrated! in the story telling tradition.

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun-BBC Poetry
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 06:18 AM

Funny ,isnt it, how some poems just HAVE to be read or recited aloud!!!, Parts of "the Tain" The anccient Irish epic poem, especially the Thomas Kinsella setting) are like that, as is "Lepanto" by G.K. Chesterton, you can just hear the rolling cadences and wonderful alliteration!!!

Subject: RE: Strange things done in the Midnight Sun-BBC Poetry
From: Anne Lister
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 08:53 AM

The reader (can't remember his name) did extremely well with "The Pied Piper" yesterday - a real treat.