The Cremation of Sam McGee

This week's recommendation is The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service. The poem depicts the death and final wishes of a miner in the freezing Yukon, and his desperation to escape the bitter cold.

Although the poem is a great read, the mixture of comedic, horrific and dramatic elements makes spoken recitals of it particularly interesting. Different speakers delivering the poem in their own way, with their own tone and emphasis on different words significantly impact the ratios of the themes, changing whether it feels like a creepy tale or a funny one.

As such, there are three different recitals that I will suggest today, showcasing the different themes.

The Johnny Cash version is straightforward, with no added sound effects and a sombre delivery that plays well into the creepy elements of the story. It's a showcase of the late musical legend's performance abilities, plain and simple. You can find this version on YouTube here.

The Midnight Marina version is closer to a radio play, utilising sound effects to enhance the experience. This version leans more into the comedic elements, with a more cartoonish delivery. You can find it here.

The Davin Jeayes version is a more dramatic rendition of the poem, and stars Hal Jeayes in a delivery more akin to a play or a monologue. It is the only one of the three to have a visual performance alongside the poem, which plays into the dramatic elements. Jeayes recites the poem in full costume in a cramped, frosty tent and his face twists into half-mad Vincent Price-esque expressions that convey the effect that the experience had on the narrator. You can find it here