Invictus
Music by Benny Mann
Words by William Ernest Henley
Winter 1999

I’ve noted this song as being written in the winter of 1999 but only because that is my best guess. The music was formulated during that time but if I’m really honest with myself I can’t remember when I chose the William Ernest Henley poem as the verses.

I do, however, remember that I wasn’t satisfied with just including the words of “Invictus” (Unconquerable). I revolved in a constant state of unrest with this piece because I was really excited about its potential. Only when I stumbled upon a quote taken from Henley’s Preface in “Poems” in a Untermeyer brief biography did I find the right chorus. I adapted the following quotation to fit the rhythmic patterns of my chosen melody.

“ ‘After spending the better part of my life in the pursuit of poetry, I found myself (about 1877) so utterly unmarketable that I had to own myself beaten in art, and to indict myself to journalism for the next ten years.’ Later on, he began to write again—‘old dusty sheaves were dragged to light; the work of selection and correction was begun; I burned much; I found that, after all, the lyrical instinct had slept—not died.’”

Thus the chorus for my version of Invictus was born.

This particular poem and the life story of William Ernest Henley are of particular importance to me. I have written his verse on the wall of my classroom and my spirit is warmed when I see a child looking up at the words, mouthing the phrases and wondering over the message before them. In my school these words are of particular meaning to the challenged lives of young people in an impoverished urban environment.

If you would like to read more about Invictus and William Ernest Henley here are some links to sites with further information:

Link to Brief Henley Biography: http://www.bartleby.com/103/2000.html (scroll down a bit)

Link to Longer Henley Biography: http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/quickstep/1103/henley_william.htm

Link to Invictus and other Henley Poems: http://www.bartleby.com/103/7.html