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Songs of a Sourdough. By Robert W. Service FULL Audiobook
"Songs of a Sourdough", also known as "The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses", is a captivating book of poetry written by Robert W. Service and published in 1907. This collection of poems is steeped in the rugged beauty and wild allure of the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon, which had occurred about a decade before the book's creation. Let me delve into the essence of this remarkable work:

1. Background and Inspiration:
Robert W. Service, an employee of the Imperial Bank of Canada, found himself posted to Whitehorse, Yukon, in 1904.
Immersed in the vibrant social life of Whitehorse, Service often recited popular poems at concerts. However, he felt the need for something fresh.
Encounters with locals and the spirit of the Klondike inspired him to write poems that would resonate with the people of the region.

2. The Birth of Iconic Ballads:
One fateful day, while pondering what to recite at an upcoming church concert, Service met E.J. "Stroller" White, editor of the Whitehorse Star.
White encouraged Service to create something unique, urging him to write about their own corner of the world.
Inspired by the sounds of revelry emanating from a saloon, Service composed the legendary ballad "The Shooting of Dan McGrew". He even risked being shot as a burglar to jot it down.
Another tale emerged after hearing a gold rush yarn: "The Cremation of Sam McGee"—a haunting narrative of friendship, fire, and frozen desolation.
Service's creativity flowed, and he penned more verses, including "The Call of the Wild".

3. The Book Takes Shape:
Service stood above the heights of Miles Canyon, gazing at the grandeur of nature. The line "I have gazed on naked grandeur where there’s nothing else to gaze on" sparked the poem "The Call of the Wild".
Conversations with locals fueled his imagination, leading him to write about events he hadn't witnessed firsthand.
Service didn't set foot in Dawson City until 1908, a decade after the Gold Rush. By then, his reputation as a writer had already blossomed.
He collected enough poems for a book and initially intended to distribute them as Christmas booklets to friends in Whitehorse.

4. The Resounding Success:
Service's father, who had emigrated to Toronto, sent the poems to a printing house. The employees loved the ballads.
An enterprising salesman secured 1,700 advance orders from galley proofs.
The publisher offered Service a ten percent royalty contract, and thus, "Songs of a Sourdough" was born.

5. Notable Poems:
"The Land God Forgot": A reflection on the harsh yet enchanting landscape of the Yukon.
"The Spell of the Yukon": Invokes the magic and allure of the wilderness.
"The Heart of the Sourdough": Celebrates the indomitable spirit of those who sought fortune in the frozen north.
"The Three Voices": Echoes the diverse voices of the Yukon.
"The Law of the Yukon": A tribute to the rugged code that governed life in the wilderness.

6. Legacy:
"Songs of a Sourdough" has sold over three million copies.
Service's vivid imagery, humor, and rhythmic storytelling continue to captivate readers, transporting them to the heart of the Klondike.

In this timeless collection, Robert W. Service immortalizes the spirit of adventure, resilience, and the untamed beauty of the Yukon—a legacy that resonates across generations. 🌟🏔️📜
More: Yukon, Klondike Gold Rush, The Shooting of Dan McGrew
The Cremation of Sam McGee, The Spell of the Yukon, Canadian poetry
Goldmining life, The Law of the Yukon, My Madonna
Wage slave, Sourdough, Muscular verse
The Little Old Log Cabin, Jack London, Narrative poetry

00:00:00 Epigraph
00:01:16 Songs of a Sourdough