
THE CONGO AND OTHER POEMS
By Vachel Lindsay - [Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, Illinois Artist. 1879-1931.]
THE CONGO AND OTHER POEMS
Introduction. By Harriet Monroe
First Section ~~ Poems intended to be read aloud, or chanted.
The Congo - A Study of the Negro Race
The Santa Fe Trail
The Firemen's Ball
The Master of the Dance
The Mysterious Cat
The collection invites listeners into a living, half‑sung lyric that harks back to Greek choruses and early American vaudeville. Its creator believed poetry should sound as much as it should be read, encouraging each line to find its own melody when spoken aloud. The accompanying notes explain how the verses are meant to be performed, turning every reading into a small, improvisational concert.
Across the pages you’ll hear bustling Midwestern scenes, moonlit reveries, and a vivid, rhythmic piece set on an African river that captures both danger and wonder. The poet’s clear, earthy language and occasional musical directions make the work feel immediate and communal. Listening to these poems feels like joining an intimate gathering where the audience helps shape the song of the words.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (105K characters)
Release date
1997-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1879–1931
An energetic American poet and performer, he helped make poetry feel like something heard as much as read. Best known for vivid, rhythmic pieces such as "The Congo," he brought chant, music, and public recitation into modern literary life.
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