IF, Rudyard Kipling's poem, recited by Sir Michael Caine

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[petrfrizen]

IF You could have only reread Sir Michael... IF we could right the wrongs...

[Davetherave]

I found this poem in the back of my Dads phone case after he sadly died Christmas day 2019. It summed him up perfectly, he was such a beautiful special man, I read it out for him at his funeral and hopefully made him proud. His name was Anthony Vincent Flynn. He was my hero.

[eyesopen]

Many years ago, my daughter had to read poem to her class. I suggested that she should read this one. She read it to me from my book of Kipling's verse and I helped her to put what might be called "feeling" into her reading. After school the next day I asked how it had gone. She smiled and said that the teacher had stopped her, gone out of the classroom and returned with other staff members to listen to her read it again from the beginning. Her mother and I are immensely proud of her for that and so much more.

[kathrynspringer]

During my divorce my father sent this to me and it saved my life literally

[tiffsaver]

I first read this poem when I was sixteen. I am 74 now. It has always moved me and guided me, and hearing it read by the great Michael Caine... well, it just doesn't get any better.

[bender]

It's about being a peace with yourself and others, living your life with humility and honour. This is sorely missing today.

[garyarcher]

I to am 74 and a twenty year veteran and first heard this when I was 18, I read it several times a year and it never fails to move me
Gazz

[DonLambJr]

My father just recommended this to me yesterday. I'm speechless.

[sumanmaity]

this poem is a summary of stoicism, a reflection of life's truth and a simple warning --not to chase after the mirage of society's standard and lose your 'virtue'. Don't do it.

[sebastianmoya]

Every time that I listen to this I like to pretend that I'm Batman and that I'm being encouraged by Alfred.

[fezmancomments]

I do like the way that Sir Michael gives us 20 seconds to ourselves! (The line actually reads; “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.”)

[tbranch]

I am here bawling like a baby.
I read this at my Daddy's memorial. He sat all my siblings and I down to read this poem, when we became teens. We have reflected upon it in our adulthood. Now, I share it with my children.
I hear my dad's voice in this poem. I came to hear Michael's voice reading it though.
Thank you

[andrewmayo]

I've never been able to hear this poem without crying, there's something about the cadence of it that just causes all the feeling to rush up into my chest.

[cafepoem]

Kipling wrote the poem in 1910 as a father's wish for his 12 year old son. 5 years later, his son died during WWI.

[theoneandonlyjzzhm]

Best version of this poem I found on YouTube- great recital, no pompous video, and no annoyingly loud music.

[jesusacorazonlogarta]

It was my father who introduced the poem to me as a kid. His favorite line was "if you could walk with kings and not lose your common touch . . . . . then you'll be a man my son. "

[chuckinchina]

This brings tears to my eyes every time I read it, if I ever have a son, I will post this on his wall at a very young age. Not a single passage in the English language has influenced me so much as this, it is so true, in the most beautiful way.

[ChrJahnsen]

How can you not LOVE Michael and his wonderful voice and dialect.

[mr.sherlockholmes]

what a beautiful and inspiring poem by Kipling.

[georgewhiffen]

When I first read this poem I was 11 at my dads wedding, everytime I'm going through something, he reminds me to read/listen to it again, I always do, and it never fails to raise my chin off the ground, I doubt I'll ever stop listening/reading it.