Sunday, April 29, 2007

The next time you're in Cumbria... wait... where's Cumbria? It's all the way over in jolly ol' England, on the northwest tip of the country. They call it the Lake District and it's one of the most beautiful places to be inspired.

William Wordsworth was one of many poets who wrote about lovely Cumberland (as Cumbria was called in his time). He captured the glory of his home in a poem called, I wandered lonely as a cloud. And now, 200 years after Wordsworth's time, there's a new generation in town.

Read William Wordsworth's poem and then, check out the video below it. It's an updated version, to say the very least.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud"
   - William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

That was the old school version. Pretty wasn't it?

Here's the new. Check it:

Heh. Word.

Which do you prefer? William Wordsworth's poem or the video rap? Why? Post your comment below. 

AND... to learn more about silly squirrels that may or may not rap, click here, here, here, or here.


# (3)#
Bryon    Posted by
Bryon
on 4/29/2007
7:27 PM
4/30/2007 8:43:56 PM UTC
That was actually kind of awesome. I would use that in school...the visuals are a little distracting..heh heh...but the rap is pretty coo. And I must agree with WW...the Lake District is AMAZING...hands down, prettiest place in England. I actually went to WW house and it sits on this lovely hill overlooking lakes and fields...just gorgeous. Definitely inspiring!
Carmelita Seufert
5/4/2007 2:45:33 PM UTC
hey word,

did you know that kids these days listen to rap learn poetry! i know so cool right!


thanks !
chloe gren
5/9/2007 12:59:48 AM UTC
I think that the rap video should be used as poety. Why?.... Because it interests kids more than reading!
Kaylapond
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