Soundings Poetry Book

sineadgalway · 24-10-2006 1:45pm #1

Hi there,

A conversation came up among my mates recently about LC english and we got to chatting about the Soundings poetry book. None of us have a copy any more though...

a) interested to hear people's memories of it
b)does anyone have a 1990's copy about ehy don't want anymore????

Cheers!

r3nu4l · 27-10-2006 9:53pm

Unfortunately not and if I had it would have things like 'I'd like to shag Miss Teachers name here' and 'I hate Mr. Teachers name here' all over it

That said, I wish I did have a clean copy of it. There isn't even one available on ebay! :eek:

ShaunC · 12-05-2008 8:17pm

hi sinead. did you ever find a copy of that poetry book. I would like to get my hands on a copy, if you ever come across one I bags it when you are finished.

WindSock · 16-05-2008 1:54pm

I have one but I still use it. Sorry. :pac:
Do they not have it on the curriculum anymore?

IvyTheTerrible · 16-05-2008 1:59pm

It hasn't been on the curriculum for 3 years at least. They've completely updated the poetry syllabus. While I love the book, there was only one living poet in it, and one woman, when I did my LC in 98 and my dad had the book for his leaving.

I have a copy at home but it's not for sale!

phaze · 17-05-2008 9:24pm

I still have my copy from my '96 leaving but unfortunately for the OP I love it too much to part with it. I really enjoy reading back over the familiar poems and trying to read the notes I had scrawled all over the pages. It drove my teacher mad but I doubt many of the people who wrote their notes out in copies can still find them so I think I was right!

Great book

ShaunC · 18-05-2008 8:48pm

It sounds a little tight but would anyone with the book be able to scan and email or post online some of the poems???? just asking!

Psychedelic · 20-05-2008 10:39pm

Here are the contents pages:

just google whatever poems you're looking for.

ShaunC · 24-05-2008 11:58pm

thanks Psy. that brought back some scary memories, some good ones also:eek:

Lizzykins · 25-05-2008 1:00am

I did my Leaving in 1980 and I had Soundings also. Wish I had kept my copy. I had a look at my own lad's Leaving Cert poetry book-he's doing Leaving next week-and I don't recognise much on the course.

sc317 · 28-05-2008 10:01pm

I did my leaving in 02 and I think we were the first year to use the new book (Explorations, which was scrapped the same year because the notes were too good). I do have a copy, that originally belonged to one of cousins and its fairly charmingly tattered and covered in notes. A gem of a book. My girlfriend actually has a copy in fairly mint condition but not selling I'm afraid.

My favourite from the book has to be Prufrock.

monkey9 · 01-06-2008 1:06pm

I still have my copy from the nineties, but like others in this thread, i don'treally wanna part with it. And yes, my notes are all on the pages. In fact, this thread has made me feel that bit better about having it.

10000maniacs · 18-09-2008 9:55am

Here is a link to it if anybody is interested.
http://rapidshare.com/files/146255691/Soundings.txt.html

Hrududu · 19-09-2008 12:04pm

My copy belonged to the school but I went out and bought a copy a few years after the leaving. Just looking at that contents page brings it all back "Stony Grey Soil of Monaghan" he was a bit of a misery.

Honey-ec · 22-09-2008 10:12am

I still have mine from LC 1999 and I've no intentions of parting with it! My four older siblings all used the same copy, so the notes in it were invaluable!

I think my favourite poem in it was "The Blackbird of Derrycairn", closely followed by "The Planter's Daughter" and "Lines Written..." (but I still loathe Patrick Kavanagh!)

Delorian · 08-07-2009 2:02am

Thanks so much for this guys. Have been trying to woo a girl for some time now, have been Googling as much of the old 1999 LC poetry as I could remember, but spent a while trying to get my hands on the curriculum book, found this thread, and you've made me a very happy man!

Not so sure I'll continue with the wooing now, may just print out the poetry and have a good read-and-remember for myself!

Permabear · 08-07-2009 2:45am

This post has been deleted.

flo8s967qjh0nd · 30-07-2009 9:53am

I have a copy but won't be parting with it.
Did anybody else hear the story that it was first introduced in the 1960's as a temporary stop-gap measure for a year and they never got around to updating it - until the late 1990's that is!

MissRibena · 30-07-2009 1:47pm

I had to give my copy to my younger sister and she was not as careful (read pernickity) as me and I think it went in the bin. I was heartbroken and got another Chapters. It adds a whole new dimension to the book. I read all this guy's notes and wonder about him and why he tore out some of the pages, which drives me a bit mental.

I was never mad about most of the Irish poetry. They seemed bitter and twisted and full of disillusionment. The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock was (and still is) my favourite poem of all time. Only Sylvia Plath managed to express that level of anxiety as well. I was mad about Gerard Manley Hopkins and Percy Bysshe Shelley too.

Remember the notes at the back? I remember them being as baffling as the actual poems themselves. Can't wait to get home and root out my copy again.

Manach · 30-07-2009 2:02pm

I still have my copy after X years, though have not opened it except on the rare occasion. This thread can be used as an excuse to look back in nostalgia.

Roisinbunny · 30-07-2009 7:33pm

Honey-ec wrote: »

I still have mine from LC 1999 and I've no intentions of parting with it! My four older siblings all used the same copy, so the notes in it were invaluable!

I think my favourite poem in it was "The Blackbird of Derrycairn", closely followed by "The Planter's Daughter" and "Lines Written..." (but I still loathe Patrick Kavanagh!)

Wow, that brings back memories.. I did mine in '99, I can still remember the texture of the cover! Does anyone remember any quotes?? The only one I can think of is the poem about the siege of Troy? It had really nice imagery.. Can't remember the name or the poet even though I ate, drank and slept that book......

Eliot Rosewater · 30-06-2010 9:34am

Apparently the Soundings Poetry Book is being reprinted and will be on sale this coming October.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/legendary-soundings-poetry-book-back-by-popular-demand-121381.html

sceptre · 30-06-2010 11:46pm

Interesting that it's being re-released. As most people never read poetry much after they've left the forced stage, I suspect there could be a good market for it. Nostalgia usually sells reasonably well in any case. If they're smart, they'll give it the same cover as the original. And maybe a special limited edition already covered in dodgy wallpaper.

Aaden Nervous Quote wrote: »

I have a copy but won't be parting with it.
Did anybody else hear the story that it was first introduced in the 1960's as a temporary stop-gap measure for a year and they never got around to updating it - until the late 1990's that is!

Ah, that's entirely true. It was introduced as part of the effort to modernise the curriculum in the late 60s, intended to last a short few years before being reviewed. Which took a while... Even the front cover of the book describes itself as an interim anthology.

MissRibena, I'd have had the same favourites as you. Especially Prufrock, which I reference slyly in conversation far more than I should (I'm ageing one day at a time after all). Kinsella as well for the same reason, though the two included aren't necessarily representative of his other work. Oddly enough, Kinsella is the only poet represented that is still alive... and he was also the only poet represented that was alive forty years ago when the book was released - hasn't he done well:)

In its absence, as a nice easy anthology for anyone who wants to dip back in, I'd recommend "The Nation's Favourite Poems", published by the BBC in the mid-90s. Everything in it was selected by a popular vote and while it's a UK book, it has Yeats in it (possibly more Irish poets as well, my copy isn't on the shelf where it usually is so I can't check). There are a few spinoff books too worth a look - favourite modern poems, favourite romantic poems etc.

thebullkf · 30-06-2010 11:51pm

Roisinbunny wrote: »

Wow, that brings back memories.. I did mine in '99, I can still remember the texture of the cover! Does anyone remember any quotes?? The only one I can think of is the poem about the siege of Troy? It had really nice imagery.. Can't remember the name or the poet even though I ate, drank and slept that book......

ah yes....

No Second Troy....

Why should I blame her that she filled my days
With misery, or that she would of late
Have taught to ignorant men most violent ways,
Or hurled the little streets upon the great.
Had they but courage equal to desire?
What could have made her peaceful with a mind
That nobleness made simple as a fire,
With beauty like a tightened bow, a kind
That is not natural in an age like this,
Being high and solitary and most stern.
Why, what could she have done, being what she is?
Was there another Troy for her to burn?

thebullkf · 30-06-2010 11:55pm

my favourite {among others }

was iirc the last poem in the book

was this...

Pigtail

When all the women in the transport
had their heads shaved
four workmen with brooms made of birch twigs
swept up
and gathered up the hair

Behind clean glass
the stiff hair lies
of those suffocated in gas chambers
there are pins and side combs
in this hair

The hair is not shot through with light
is not parted by the breeze
is not touched by any hand
or rain or lips

In huge chests
clouds of dry hair
of those suffocated
and a faded plait
a pigtail with a ribbon
pulled at school
by naughty boys.

*still gives me shivers*

thebullkf · 30-06-2010 11:57pm

sceptre wrote: »

Interesting that it's being re-released. As most people never read poetry much after they've left the forced stage, I suspect there could be a good market for it. Nostalgia usually sells reasonably well in any case. If they're smart, they'll give it the same cover as the original. And maybe a special limited edition already covered in dodgy wallpaper.

Ah, that's entirely true. It was introduced as part of the effort to modernise the curriculum in the late 60s, intended to last a short few years before being reviewed. Which took a while... Even the front cover of the book describes itself as an interim anthology.

MissRibena, I'd have had the same favourites as you. Especially Prufrock, which I reference slyly in conversation far more than I should (I'm ageing one day at a time after all). Kinsella as well for the same reason, though the two included aren't necessarily representative of his other work. Oddly enough, Kinsella is the only poet represented that is still alive... and he was also the only poet represented that was alive forty years ago when the book was released - hasn't he done well:)

In its absence, as a nice easy anthology for anyone who wants to dip back in, I'd recommend "The Nation's Favourite Poems", published by the BBC in the mid-90s. Everything in it was selected by a popular vote and while it's a UK book, it has Yeats in it (possibly more Irish poets as well, my copy isn't on the shelf where it usually is so I can't check). There are a few spinoff books too worth a look - favourite modern poems, favourite romantic poems etc.

+1

also the nations favourite comic poems..:D

ya can't bate a bit of poetry.

*sigh*

nolo1 · 01-07-2010 2:20am

Here is a link to it if anybody is interested.
http://rapidshare.com/files/14625569...dings.txt.html

I know the link above was posted almost two years ago but it is now dead. I don't have a copy of Soundings so I would love if it could be re-activated.

However, I do have a copy of the Inter Cert poetry book from the 70's & 80's : Exploring English 3. Does anyone remember it? It had a greyish cover with a green linear pattern on it. The short story book in the same set had the same greyish cover but the pattern was in orange.

Kalimah · 01-07-2010 8:10pm

thebullkf wrote: »

my favourite {among others }

was iirc the last poem in the book

was this...

Pigtail

When all the women in the transport
had their heads shaved
four workmen with brooms made of birch twigs
swept up
and gathered up the hair

Behind clean glass
the stiff hair lies
of those suffocated in gas chambers
there are pins and side combs
in this hair

The hair is not shot through with light
is not parted by the breeze
is not touched by any hand
or rain or lips

In huge chests
clouds of dry hair
of those suffocated
and a faded plait
a pigtail with a ribbon
pulled at school
by naughty boys.

*still gives me shivers*

I never heard this before. It's amazing. I'll be looking for a copy of Soundings as soon as it's out. Did my LC in 1980!Loved Hopkins and Kavanagh and still do.

Howjoe1 · 06-10-2010 10:10pm

there was a trip down memory lane on the Ray Darcy show about Soundings today. I'm off to order my copy.

Eliot Rosewater · 06-10-2010 10:24pm

Is this it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soundings-Poems-Did-Leaving-Certificate/dp/0717148416/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286400123&sr=1-3

Callan57 · 06-10-2010 10:50pm

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

Is this it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soundings-Poems-Did-Leaving-Certificate/dp/0717148416/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286400123&sr=1-3

Oh Lord I'm going to have nightmares tonight :eek:

Howjoe1 · 06-10-2010 11:13pm

Callan57 wrote: »

Oh Lord I'm going to have nightmares tonight :eek:

I love it now.

goose2005 · 07-10-2010 2:44am

sineadgalway wrote: »

Hi there,

A conversation came up among my mates recently about LC english and we got to chatting about the Soundings poetry book. None of us have a copy any more though...

a) interested to hear people's memories of it
b)does anyone have a 1990's copy about ehy don't want anymore????

Cheers!

I think my mam's old copy is still at home, if you want a True and Honest book instead of the reprint.

IvyTheTerrible · 07-10-2010 10:19am

I ordered my copy yesterday, I cannot wait til it arrives, some real gems in there!

java · 07-10-2010 1:28pm

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

I ordered my copy yesterday, I cannot wait til it arrives, some real gems in there!

Where did you order it?

IvyTheTerrible · 07-10-2010 1:38pm

java wrote: »

Where did you order it?

From the Gill and McMillan website: http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/gift-books/gift-books/soundings

Eliot Rosewater · 07-10-2010 1:52pm

Book Depository is €12.59, which includes free postage. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780717148417/

IvyTheTerrible · 07-10-2010 1:54pm

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

Book Depository is €12.59, which includes free postage. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780717148417/

Aw crumbs!

Manchegan · 07-10-2010 2:01pm

sceptre wrote: »

In its absence, as a nice easy anthology for anyone who wants to dip back in, I'd recommend "The Nation's Favourite Poems"

The Rattle Bag, edited by Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney, is also worth a look.

hatful · 07-10-2010 11:53pm

This is great news. I cherish my copy. One little niggle though I don't like the new red labels etc.. on the cover.

sarkozy · 08-10-2010 10:17am

I'm so pleased about this. Being a friend of the Martins, it has so much more meaning for me as, often, I'd listen to Gus reciting poems in the book over a few pints in the local. I still have my copy somewhere. In storage somewhere, I think, but I'm worried about some of the boredom-induced inscriptions on some of the pages!

Permabear · 08-10-2010 12:53pm

This post has been deleted.

sceptre · 08-10-2010 1:34pm

It's in Easons, for anyone who doesn't do the Internet ordering thing. More expensive though, €14.99 if memory serves.

Permabear · 08-10-2010 1:54pm

This post has been deleted.

Eliot Rosewater · 08-10-2010 3:23pm

Wasn't so yesterday. Amazon is sold out too.

I don't think I'm going to get it. A lot of the poems are already in Harold Bloom's anthology, and I want to read some more mid-20th century poetry, which both Soundings and Bloom understandably omit.

JodTT · 08-10-2010 3:29pm

This is the only one of my school books that I held onto, and to this day, it sits in my bookcase, after many house moves.

It's refreshing to see so many have such great nostalgic feeling about it!

Misty May · 08-10-2010 10:45pm

I was clearing out a shelf the other day and found my copy of Soundings which I bought second hand in the early 80's. I was delighted and sellotaped the pages back together again. Sorry but I wouldn't part with it.It's hard to see the print with all the helpful biro notes on it.:D

raindog.promo · 19-03-2012 1:44am

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soundings-poetry-book/180522771972318?sk=wall

Revered and hated, this book of poetry is in print again, not for the leaving cert but for the people who have fond memories of sitting in class falling asleep dreaming of 'The bright stick trapped' like in Patrick Kavanaghs 'Canal Bank Walk'

nolo1 · 22-03-2012 12:36am

Saw this book in "Porters" reduced books table, in Wilton Shopping Centre in Cork the other day. It was reduced to 3.99!:)

Lady Chatterton · 10-04-2012 1:37am

I loved Soundings when I was at school, I still have my original copy but I was given a gift of a new copy recently. It was reprinted in October 2010. http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfcwkfmhidkf/rss2/

It is available from most bookshops and directly from Gill & Macmillan.

JohnfromGalway · 08-09-2014 4:57pm

Overhearing the word a few minutes ago I googled "Soundings."

Looks like it's for sale http://www.gillmacmillanbooks.ie/general-gift/general-gift/soundings

Soundings Poetry Book

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