CLASSIFICATION
Swallow ID:
8361
Partner Institution:
University of Calgary
Source Collection Label:
Earle Birney fonds
Sub Series:
Earle Birney fonds
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Title:
Earle Birney reading uncollected poems (Tape 5)
Title Source:
Transcribed from the artifact
Title Note:
Label of recording title and included poems taped to box. Box stamped HB 1W2.
Language:
English
Production Context:
Studio recording
Identifiers:
[8.1-5]
Rights
Rights:
The Public Domain Mark (PDM)
CREATORS
Name:
Birney, Earle
Dates:
1904-1995
CONTRIBUTORS
MATERIAL DESCRIPTION
Recording Type:
Analogue
AV Type:
Audio
Material Designation:
Reel to Reel
Physical Composition:
Magnetic Tape
Extent:
1/4 inch
Playing Speed:
7 1/2 ips
Tape Brand:
CBC Radio - Canada
Sound Quality:
Excellent
Physical Condition:
Good
DIGITAL FILE DESCRIPTION
Duration:
T00:25:30
Size:
420.32 MB
Dates
Date:
1966
Type:
Performance Date
Notes:
Dates supplied through research for copyright.
LOCATION
CONTENT
Contents:
Earle Birney
[00:00:00]
Reads "The Monarch of the Id".
Earle Birney
[00:03:44]
Reads "Our forefathers literary…".
Earle Birney
[00:04:52]
Reads "Tonka".
Earle Birney
[00:05:13]
Reads "The McSimptom’s Marketeria Annual Staff Ferry Picnic to Nanaimo".
Earle Birney
[00:10:24]
Reads "Student Special Events Committee".
Earle Birney
[00:12:15]
Reads "untitled for Otis J. Todd".
Earle Birney
[00:14:14]
Reads "Architects Vancouver".
Earle Birney
[00:19:43]
Reads Spanish translation "From the Hazel Bough".
Earle Birney
[00:21:02]
Reads "Postprandial Thanks to Ned".
Notes:
- “Monarch”: 1946, commentary on hyperactivity of Canadian customs to keep out ‘obscene’ books like Edmund Wilson’s Hecate County or ‘treasonous’ books such as Trotsky’s Permanent Revolution, Emma Goldman’s Living My Life, Balzac’s Droll Stories, Radclyffe Hall’s The Well of Loneliness, and D. H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers. All of these books banned on the authority of one man, identity unknown, called The Examiner of Publications, in Ottawa. This person held so much power that neither he nor the minister who appointed him needed to report to parliament on their activities. Birney uses the verbage of the Customs Act which gave them this power, following Gilbert’s rhythms in HMS Pinafore (“Captain of the King’s Navee”).
- “Our”: Thoughts on Canadian literature, a bit of infighting.
- “McSimptom’s”: In 1950, Birney is in Vancouver and going to Nanaimo, but got on the wrong ship. The ship was going to Nanaimo but had been chartered for the Woodward’s annual staff family picnic, everyone supposed to participate in singalong and no one want to. Tunes for the poem are from the song’s which were supposed to be sung, but Birney has changed the words a great deal. Birney notes he has to sing this, as its part of the fun.
- “Student”: later 1950s, Birney was involved with student committee at UBC to create list of foreign writers to invite over at considerable expense while ignoring Canadian writers.
- “untitled”: on the occasion of the retirement of one of his classics teachers, who was the father of six sons who all played on the UBC soccer team. Birney notes that this poem has to be sung, but he can’t really remember the tune.
- “Architects”: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada asked Birney to write poems to accompany an exhibit for an architectural journal. Eight poems.
- “Hazel”: translation of his poems into Spanish (with assistance). Birney quits halfway through reading, remarks that he needs more practice.
- “Postprandial”: On February 9th, 1958, CBC broadcast in honour of E.J. Pratt. Birney uses his poetic style at times and borrows some of Pratt’s phrases.
NOTES
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