Alfred Noyes (16 September 1880 – 25 June 1958 / Wolverhamton)

i read it as during my school days at tha age of ten...and at that time we were first told the story. My teacher told it in the best possible way....with all the expressions of fear and horror in her voice and on her face........i still remember that.....and then she read us the poem with same expressions to make us understand the poem.......the4 whole class was shocked and silent for a while...though sad its one of me fav poems........and now when i read it....i find the most powerful composition.......i can actually see it all happening...the whole story seems being enacted in words.......the sets...the fear...the moon the road all so well placed....wonderfull

This is my favorite poem. Years ago, after I had read it, I did not understand it. Last year I read it again and chills ran down my spine as the brutality of the poem seeped into me. I love this poem.

This narrative verse shook me to the core! After reading this as a small child I was compelled to steal my fathers blueclothed book to read at my liesure (the only thing I have ever stolen) He forgave me! ! ! I still have the book! ! !

All I can say is wow! This poem is a power full love story.

this is a great poem remembered from my childhood. can someone help me find the movie version cira 1959-1963. it appeared on cbs-channel 2, new york on movies on a sunday afternoon and channel 5-metromedia. if course b/w about 1hr 15min long. the entire poem was narrated through the movie making the moon a ghostly gallon so real.

The Highwayman is a beautiful, evocative poem, with a refreshingly clear story progression which leaves the reader in no doubt as to what is occuring at any given point. This much is self-evident, and much touted in previous comments. We can all be grateful to Ms. McKennit for bringing this poem to the attention of millions via her musical version. She was not, however, the first to set it to music. An artist named Barby Holder recorded the poem on an album titled Nor'westers, in 1994. Different edit, different music, but still hauntingly beautiful, and Ms. Holder is a talented musician with a lovely voice. On the topic of versions, several people have commented that the poem found here differs from what they remember. I have found that the wording of many poems, especially oft published ones, tends to vary slightly from source to source. It makes me sad to think that there is no way to know the author's original, exact, wording. Still, I have learned to live with it, and simply memorize the version that I feel best represents the author's intent.

This is one of the greatest peoms ever written! Like Katherina Clink said it has many great qualities. You can feel and see what's happening in the poem's story. If anyone enjoys this peom like i do, then check out the song. Loreana Mckennit sings it and she sings it beautifully! =)

yay highwayman it rules O Drama! sorry that was wierd I Love This! It is insanely dramatic and old fashioned.! I had to read it for english recently and i was just taken by it. Mr. Noyes is brilliant and seems quite infatuated with bess! i love this poem so much that i may acually memorixe it 4 no reason!

In opinion, this is one of the best poems ever written. Looking at it from an analytical point of view, the structure is constant, and the rhythm of the entire poem gives the impression of horse's hooves pounding on the pavement. They rhyme scheme in itself is amazing, and the use of repetition and other literary devices is phenomenal.
Looking at the poem from a purely pleasurable angle, it is amazing. When reading, it flows so naturally, and the story it tells, it's amazing. I've loved this poem since the first time I heard it....nearly ten years ago. I don't think I'll ever like a poem more than this.

Simply majestic...... even I had read in in my school days.. then as a part of the curriculum... but today I was forced to read it over again..
Alfred- You will always be remembered for this one..! !