Bars and Shadows: The Prison Poems of Ralph Chaplin


Read by Ben Adams

(5 stars; 3 reviews)

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


(5 stars)

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!