The Song of Roland

by

Read by Joy Chan

English · 1930 · 3h 55m · Poetry, Medieval, War & Military Fiction

4.6 (61 reviews)

The Song of Roland is a medieval French epic poem set against the campaign of Charlemagne in Spain. Its central episode is the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, where Roland and the rear guard face a vastly larger force in the Pyrenees.

Composed for oral performance and presented here in English translation, the poem follows the clash between loyalty to the emperor and the demands of honor on the battlefield. Its formal, martial storytelling reflects the ideals and religious outlook of the medieval world that shaped it.

Listeners can expect a verse narrative of battle, duty, and sacrifice rather than a modern historical account. The poem’s spare, ceremonial style and focus on heroic action make it a distinctive entry point into medieval epic.

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

Verses 1 - 38 30:32 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 39 - 87 34:46 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 88 - 138 43:34 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 139 - 176 34:20 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 177 - 186 10:29 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 187 - 214 24:13 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 215 - 272 43:03 Read by Joy Chan
Verses 273 - 291 14:39 Read by Joy Chan

Reviews

Well read and enjoyable


(5 stars)

One of the most famous poems of the middle ages that has been hugely influential over the centuries, great to have this on Librivox. I liked the translation, it excellently captures the feeling of a medieval epic I thought. The reader is very good also, a few miss-pronunciations do not detract from the overall highly enjoyable listening experience. Love her accent too.


(4.5 stars)

Very good and I liked the speaker’s tone. though, i do think some rhymes were meant in this translation that the speaker didnt quite get because they were meant to be spoken in a nonstandard way. But that hardly detracts from the performance.


(5 stars)

MANY THANKS TO THE READER, WHO READ THIS CLASSIC EPIC OF ANCIENT FRENCH LITERATURE SO PERFECTLY. This was an excellent audio version of the poem, very beautiful, violent, vivid. I loved it.

Good Effort


(4 stars)

A bit of 'fading in' of the first line of the stanza is a small technical issue. A consistent engaging reading.

tough listen


(5 stars)

difficult to follow with th minds eye but made so much easier and enjoyable when read by Joy Chan

Well done!


(5 stars)

Engaging translation of an epic poem. Many thanks to the reader for a job well done!

great story and great reading


(5 stars)

I really appreciate what Moncrief accomplished with his translation here.

fantastic


(5 stars)

joy chan delivers the tale with stirring sincerity