Hail Thee Who Play

by Michael McClure

Los Angeles: Black Sparrow Press, 1968. 250 copies in wrappers; 75 numbered hardcover copies, signed & with a drawing by the author.
Hail Thee Who Play is one long poem written by the famous beat poet who appeared at the Six Gallery event in 1955 alongside Allen Ginsberg (who read 'Howl'), Gary Snyder (who read 'Berry Feast'), Philip Lamantia (who read 'Journey to the End' by John Hoffman), Philip Whalen (who read 'Sourdough Loookout Poem' and others). McClure also often recited this poem to music performed by the late great Ray Manzarek of the Doors.

20 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Michael McClure (born October 20, 1932 in Marysville, Kansas) is an American poet, playwright, songwriter, and novelist. After moving to San Francisco as a young man, he found fame as one of the five poets (including Allen Ginsberg) who read at the famous San Francisco Six Gallery reading in 1955 rendered in barely fictionalized terms in Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums. He soon became a key member of the Beat Generation and is immortalized as "Pat McLear" in Kerouac's Big Sur.

Reviews

[Mat · Rating 4 out of 5]

McClure was really on the ball in the 1960s in terms of poetry. (His stageplays are another matter).
This single long poem is written in a typical McClurian overblown, majestic and grandiose style. Once again, as with many McClure items, beautifully published using some of the best stationery around.