Holly, my mother -- who hated the cold every bit as much as Sam M did -- used to regularly recite The Cremation to me, as a youngster. Never regretted learning an appreciation of great verse at such a young age!
Your mother and I and Sam have that in common. But I love outdoor exploration, which often takes me to frigid places. So I have some really good cold weather gear.
Ah, Sam McGee. An all-time favourite. My Dad loved Robert Service and recited this one (and Dan McGrew) regularly. He could make the story come alive and I still hear his voice in my head when I read the words on the page. Thank you for rekindling a memory.
Oh fun. That’s a wonderful memory to have of your dad. In learning this poem, I did some research and learned Robert Service was far more prolific than I’d realized.
While the poem is lighthearted on the surface, I couldn't help but notice a subtle commentary on the human condition. Sam McGee's aversion to the cold and his longing for warmth could be interpreted as a metaphor for our universal desire for comfort and belonging. Even in death, he finds solace in the warmth of the furnace. It's a poignant reminder that our basic needs and desires remain constant, even in the face of the unknown.
I’ll say this much. I can relate to the ongoing desire for warmth. I love outdoor adventures so wind up in frigid spots from time to time. But I’m not well suited for cold. So lots of gear. And the longing for belonging too. You’re right. It’s such a built in part of the human condition.
Holly, my friend, you are something else! There is so much to appreciate here: The selection itself. Your well-studied recitation of it. The setting. The photos. The courage to step into this opportunity. Delighting in this exploration on this bright Friday morning. Thanks to you -- and to Tara -- for continuing to inspire!
Thank you, my friend. It was a pleasure to learn I’m still capable of memorizing lines. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried. And yeah, the fire and performance piece was fun. It’s always good to step out of the old comfort zone from time to time. :)
So cool! I memorized Sam McGee when I was in high school, upon my return from a trip to the Yukon. I have recited it publicly many times over the years, most recently at an amateur night/open mic event at Northwest Nomads 2024, in the wilds of Eastern Oregon. It was well-received there by a crowd of my grungy peers in a field of converted vans and school buses. So fun to see it pop up here!
From Service’s poem The Spell of the Yukon, another one I have mostly memorized.
The next time I am in the Yukon, which should be summer of 2025, I plan to stand a top our rig and recite a few of Service’s poems into the vast open wilderness. 💜
Oh, I love that your big yellow rig is Yukon-bound. What a trek!
I’ve been thinking of you guys and your heating and electricity woes. Hope they’re coming along! Oh, the things that can go wrong in a life on the road. Sending you all the well wishes.
Thank you, thank you, Ben! That means a lot coming from a video expert. ;)
What you probably didn't notice was the mic you recommended in my hand. Thank you. I've been loving it and sound engineering in Garage Band ever since we talked (though there was no sound engineering in this post). So thank you.
Holly, absolutely stellar! This day marking a month since Helene here in Southern Appalachia and the mountain holler roots of old Sam McGee from (East?) Tennessee has been uplifted by your fantabulous rendition by the crackling fire. I have long loved this poem. I went to Robert Service’s cabin in Dawson City while on pilgrimage. I'm inclined to believe from your intimations here that you and Ruby have been there, too. I spent a week in the area toggling back and forth between the bush on one side of the Yukon River and the “city” of Dawson on the other side, having traveled by way of the Top of the World “Highway” (gravel road), and can only imagine from the locals I met how they would delight in your recitation. Truly wonderful. Thank you!
Wow, has the month gone by? Time is a funny thing. Southern Appalachia is a fantastic place. So I’m delighted by your notion that this rendition might be appreciated there as well as in Dawson.
I have indeed spent a bit of time, though not nearly enough, in that part of the world. Isn’t that highway or something else?! The Yukon, as a whole, is stupendous. And I hope to find myself there with more time to explore at some point.
Thank you, thank you for listening and for your kind words. I had fun with this.
Holly! This was perfect! On top of your other talents, you are a gen-you-eyne balladeer. I love the fire and the hat and the drawl, not to mention the photos. By golly, I believe you *did* cremate Sam McGee. So glad you decided to share this! 🕯️
Holly, The reading was perfect! I’m so glad you had the courage to share. This is a total throwback for me—The first time I heard the ballad of Sam McGee was around a campfire in the wilds. I later spent a month in the backcountry of the Wrangells and this brings back some amazing memories. McCarthy has a place in my heart!
Of course you know McCarthy! That makes sense. I love how we’ve crossed so many common paths. That place is truly something unto itself.
I arrived at the end of the season only a week or so before everyone but the 30 or so who stay the winter—the dark, lonely, power-free winter—was heading out. I stayed till the day of farewell, so to speak. That’s the night the burning of the wooden man came from.
Ha!😂 The Cremation of Sam McGee reminds me of an old song my dad would recite from memory as a poem. It's called the Boston Burglar, and Dad would/could insert the name of any city within the piece to impress listeners. The song was also referenced in John Barleycorn by Jack London. (I can recite my own version of the poem from memory.) Anyhoo, heroes my contribution: https://johnmoyermedlpcncc.substack.com/p/ursa-major-2da?r=3p5dh
OMG, Holly!!! YOU’VE BEEN TO MCCARTHY!!!! And the Root Glacier! We gotta talk! Your rendition of this poem — new to me — is fantastic! I whoop-laughed out loud. Here’s to the weirdness of Alaska. Coldest August I ever spent up in those mountains. Loved every moment.
Wait! McCarthy and Root Glacier are more places you and I have in common?!! Wonderful. What a treat that we share such wonders. I was there in September, and it was indeed chilly.
I'll have to tell you about the time I stripped naked and jumped into a blue pool on Root Glacier. Holy damn, that was freezing, though probably less terrifying.
Holly, my mother -- who hated the cold every bit as much as Sam M did -- used to regularly recite The Cremation to me, as a youngster. Never regretted learning an appreciation of great verse at such a young age!
How fun!
Your mother and I and Sam have that in common. But I love outdoor exploration, which often takes me to frigid places. So I have some really good cold weather gear.
Thanks so much for listening and commenting. :)
Ah, Sam McGee. An all-time favourite. My Dad loved Robert Service and recited this one (and Dan McGrew) regularly. He could make the story come alive and I still hear his voice in my head when I read the words on the page. Thank you for rekindling a memory.
Oh fun. That’s a wonderful memory to have of your dad. In learning this poem, I did some research and learned Robert Service was far more prolific than I’d realized.
Thanks for reading and sharing. 😊
While the poem is lighthearted on the surface, I couldn't help but notice a subtle commentary on the human condition. Sam McGee's aversion to the cold and his longing for warmth could be interpreted as a metaphor for our universal desire for comfort and belonging. Even in death, he finds solace in the warmth of the furnace. It's a poignant reminder that our basic needs and desires remain constant, even in the face of the unknown.
I’ll say this much. I can relate to the ongoing desire for warmth. I love outdoor adventures so wind up in frigid spots from time to time. But I’m not well suited for cold. So lots of gear. And the longing for belonging too. You’re right. It’s such a built in part of the human condition.
Holly, my friend, you are something else! There is so much to appreciate here: The selection itself. Your well-studied recitation of it. The setting. The photos. The courage to step into this opportunity. Delighting in this exploration on this bright Friday morning. Thanks to you -- and to Tara -- for continuing to inspire!
Thank you, my friend. It was a pleasure to learn I’m still capable of memorizing lines. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried. And yeah, the fire and performance piece was fun. It’s always good to step out of the old comfort zone from time to time. :)
So far, I’ve not had the nerve! At least not for this. 🙃
So cool! I memorized Sam McGee when I was in high school, upon my return from a trip to the Yukon. I have recited it publicly many times over the years, most recently at an amateur night/open mic event at Northwest Nomads 2024, in the wilds of Eastern Oregon. It was well-received there by a crowd of my grungy peers in a field of converted vans and school buses. So fun to see it pop up here!
Oh yes, it’s a perfect van gathering offering.
Isn’t the Yukon stupendous?!
Glad we share that wonderful place and, of course, Sam McGee. ♥️🔥
“There’s a land—oh, it beckons and beckons
And I want to go back—and I will”
From Service’s poem The Spell of the Yukon, another one I have mostly memorized.
The next time I am in the Yukon, which should be summer of 2025, I plan to stand a top our rig and recite a few of Service’s poems into the vast open wilderness. 💜
Oh, I love that your big yellow rig is Yukon-bound. What a trek!
I’ve been thinking of you guys and your heating and electricity woes. Hope they’re coming along! Oh, the things that can go wrong in a life on the road. Sending you all the well wishes.
This was fantastic! I love the video and the crackling 🔥. Well done.
Thank you, thank you, Ben! That means a lot coming from a video expert. ;)
What you probably didn't notice was the mic you recommended in my hand. Thank you. I've been loving it and sound engineering in Garage Band ever since we talked (though there was no sound engineering in this post). So thank you.
I'm blown away by the length. That you committed the whole thing to memory is amazing to me. Well done.
Thank you! I was a bit intimidated by the length myself (and pleasantly surprised I was able to get it down). :) ♥️
Holly, absolutely stellar! This day marking a month since Helene here in Southern Appalachia and the mountain holler roots of old Sam McGee from (East?) Tennessee has been uplifted by your fantabulous rendition by the crackling fire. I have long loved this poem. I went to Robert Service’s cabin in Dawson City while on pilgrimage. I'm inclined to believe from your intimations here that you and Ruby have been there, too. I spent a week in the area toggling back and forth between the bush on one side of the Yukon River and the “city” of Dawson on the other side, having traveled by way of the Top of the World “Highway” (gravel road), and can only imagine from the locals I met how they would delight in your recitation. Truly wonderful. Thank you!
Wow, has the month gone by? Time is a funny thing. Southern Appalachia is a fantastic place. So I’m delighted by your notion that this rendition might be appreciated there as well as in Dawson.
I have indeed spent a bit of time, though not nearly enough, in that part of the world. Isn’t that highway or something else?! The Yukon, as a whole, is stupendous. And I hope to find myself there with more time to explore at some point.
Thank you, thank you for listening and for your kind words. I had fun with this.
"The Yukon, as a whole, is stupendous"
Yes. It is.
That reading is fire! The words "But levity is a part of hope. And poetry is grace." are a balm.
♥️♥️
Thank you, Nadia. I am so glad Substack has brought us together, kindred spirits I feel.
:-* <3
Holly! This was perfect! On top of your other talents, you are a gen-you-eyne balladeer. I love the fire and the hat and the drawl, not to mention the photos. By golly, I believe you *did* cremate Sam McGee. So glad you decided to share this! 🕯️
Thank you, thank you, Tara. Your community projects are such a delight. Glad to join this one. 😍🔥
Holly, The reading was perfect! I’m so glad you had the courage to share. This is a total throwback for me—The first time I heard the ballad of Sam McGee was around a campfire in the wilds. I later spent a month in the backcountry of the Wrangells and this brings back some amazing memories. McCarthy has a place in my heart!
A month in the backcountry of Wrangells sounds heavenly.
And yeah McCarthy is truly a special place. I only got about 10 days in the area and would love to return some day.
Yes! I, too, want to return! 🌸
I have to admit Spoken is the only way I enjoy poetry. Thanks for bringing this to my morning.
Have I told you I spent a summer living in McCarthy working as a mountain guide? Changed the trajectory of my life.
Of course you know McCarthy! That makes sense. I love how we’ve crossed so many common paths. That place is truly something unto itself.
I arrived at the end of the season only a week or so before everyone but the 30 or so who stay the winter—the dark, lonely, power-free winter—was heading out. I stayed till the day of farewell, so to speak. That’s the night the burning of the wooden man came from.
I’d very much like return someday.
Ha!😂 The Cremation of Sam McGee reminds me of an old song my dad would recite from memory as a poem. It's called the Boston Burglar, and Dad would/could insert the name of any city within the piece to impress listeners. The song was also referenced in John Barleycorn by Jack London. (I can recite my own version of the poem from memory.) Anyhoo, heroes my contribution: https://johnmoyermedlpcncc.substack.com/p/ursa-major-2da?r=3p5dh
Ah, love your contribution, j.e. So fun to listen to you recite.
And what a wonderful memory to have of your dad. :) Thank you for sharing. 😊
I have to wake early and find the gold in the poem of SamMcGee ♥️
The gold and the moiling! Thanks so much for waking and listening. 😊😍
OMG, Holly!!! YOU’VE BEEN TO MCCARTHY!!!! And the Root Glacier! We gotta talk! Your rendition of this poem — new to me — is fantastic! I whoop-laughed out loud. Here’s to the weirdness of Alaska. Coldest August I ever spent up in those mountains. Loved every moment.
Wait! McCarthy and Root Glacier are more places you and I have in common?!! Wonderful. What a treat that we share such wonders. I was there in September, and it was indeed chilly.
I have such a funny story about learning how to shoot practice rapids in pack rafts with my son and husband.
Love, love, love this. How fun!
If by fun you mean freezing cold and a little terrifying - yeah, it was a blast! 😂
Sounds about right.
I'll have to tell you about the time I stripped naked and jumped into a blue pool on Root Glacier. Holy damn, that was freezing, though probably less terrifying.
Sooooo glad we've connected here, my friend.
Also, the Frozen Logger