Bars and Shadows: The Prison Poems of Ralph Chaplin
Ralph Chaplin
Read by Ben Adams
Ralph Chaplin and many other prominent members of the Industrial Workers of the World were imprisoned under the Espionage Act of 1917 as the United States entered World War I. As with Socialist presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs, these activists were accused of undermining recruiting efforts and the draft - even of encouraging soldiers to desert. Though they never gained the universal popularity of his anthem "Solidarity Forever," the poems and songs in this volume - composed during his four years in prison - represent the defiant attitude of a true rebel in the face of persecution. - Summary by Ben Adams (1 hr 12 min)
Chapters
Introduction | 22:32 | Read by Ben Adams |
Mourn Not the Dead | 1:07 | Read by Ben Adams |
Taps | 1:30 | Read by Ben Adams |
Night in the Cell House | 1:23 | Read by Ben Adams |
Prison Shadows | 1:28 | Read by Ben Adams |
Prison Reveille | 1:28 | Read by Ben Adams |
Prison Nocturne | 1:23 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Warrior Wind | 2:08 | Read by Ben Adams |
To Freedom | 1:18 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Vision Maker | 1:28 | Read by Ben Adams |
Distances | 1:19 | Read by Ben Adams |
Phantoms | 0:59 | Read by Ben Adams |
Seven Little Sparrows | 0:57 | Read by Ben Adams |
Salaam! | 4:06 | Read by Ben Adams |
The West is Dead | 1:31 | Read by Ben Adams |
Up From Your Knees | 1:59 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Eunuch | 2:28 | Read by Ben Adams |
I.W.W. Prison Song | 1:55 | Read by Ben Adams |
To France | 1:30 | Read by Ben Adams |
Villanelle | 1:52 | Read by Ben Adams |
Wesley Everest | 1:34 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Industrial Heretics | 1:17 | Read by Ben Adams |
Blood and Wine | 2:27 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Red Guard | 1:15 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Red Feast | 2:59 | Read by Ben Adams |
The Girls Who Sang for Us | 1:23 | Read by Ben Adams |
To Edith | 1:10 | Read by Ben Adams |
Song of Separation | 1:13 | Read by Ben Adams |
To My Little Son | 1:20 | Read by Ben Adams |
Escaped! | 1:27 | Read by Ben Adams |
Retrospect | 1:56 | Read by Ben Adams |
Reviews
Excellent Poetry & Narration
Neko
An enjoyable collection of dark, thoughtful poems that portray longing, frustration, staunchness, and prison life. (No romance!) The narration is excellent! Mr. Adams makes what he reads come alive and have meaning. Thank you for taking the time to do this, Mr Adams!