117. JOHN DONNE: For Whom the Bell Tolls
John Donne (1572-1631) was an English poet. This passage is taken from his work Devotions of Emergent Occasions, a compilation of reflections, meditations, prose and poetry. Donne wrote the work while recovering from a serious illness and this particular quote is taken from Meditation XVII. You can read the entire verse here. This passage was made famous after Ernest Hemingway used ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ as the title for one of his most acclaimed novels.
Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013) was a guitarist and one of the founding members of the metal band Slayer. He recently passed away due to cirrhosis of the liver, after also just recovering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease he was diagnosed with after getting bit by a spider. Before his death, Hanneman played a gig where he proudly displayed the large scars on his arm the disease had left him with.
I will not pretend I know anything about metal – the idea of this comic was suggested to me by my brother. It’s also a total coincidence that another metal band, Metallica, have a song named For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Thanks to everyone who sent in this passage, there’s too many to name. It’s definitely one of the most-requested quotes.
Discussion (123) ¬
That is a strange combination at first glance, but I like it. Especially the next-to-last panel.
Love the next-to-last panel and the whole idea of merging English poet and the spirit of hardcore metal into one, strong message. Inspiration of the youth never dies completely!
It’s not a coincidence! Metallica’s song is named after Hemmingway’s book. You should really read it, it’s inspiring. Besides, I think you missed the point in the quote. Not your best work.
Oh? What is the point then?
Gav didn’t depict the overarching whole meaning, he depicted a poignant, representative slice.
As a fan of heavy metal, Slayer, Metallica and Zen Pencils, this has struck a chord with me. I can also relate easily to the main character of the comic, having played guitar in a heavy metal band in my youth and abandoning it by the time I went for college. Abandoning the guitar, that is, not heavy metal, which is still central to my life, each and everyday more important.
The feelings triggered by the death of Jeff Hanneman were very mixed. Sadness, definitely, for the passing of a man that helped define an entire genre, whose songs are widely regarded as iconic in the world of heavy metal. The band he helped create has some of the most devoted fans in the world, and I am proud to count myself among the Slayer fans. His name is besides the names of many of those classics, as he was a prolific composer. Besides sadness, I feel a lot of gratitude for everything he has given to the world of metal. He will always be among the greats. If there’s life after death, I’m sure he and Ronnie James Dio are enjoying the afterlife together as the legends they became.
Thanks for making this. Goodbye, Jeff.
WOW this is so me! I was a rockin’ guitarist in my youth. Real life intervened derailing my dreams until I lost my way being an office lackey. This year I pulled out my axe and I was resurrected shredding gain! \m/
I love this one.
It reminded me of this Subnormality strip: http://www.viruscomix.com/page446.html
Last year, I made a major decision and quit my cubicle job to go back to school. It was a decision made after realizing that my life was ticking away. I’m broke and we’re a paycheck away from ruin, but I haven’t been happier in the last 20 years!
Ah, now this is more like it. 🙂
Inspiring.
Well done!
I think it’s funny that you mention not knowing metal, when I see a few interesting parallels. The comic is, in general, about Jeff Hanneman and Slayer. Slayer recently went on a tour with Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth called the Big Four Tour. Further, the death of Jeff Hanneman is a pitvot point here. In the 80’s, Cliff Burton was the bassist for Metallica, and he made the opening riff to this song, probably the most famous bass riff. He died in the mid-80’s while on tour, so…a couple of parallels here that you may not have been aware of 😀
Jeff Hanneman dead at age 49… That hurts. He founded Slayer… They Slew all right…. RIP Jeff Hanneman…
hi what font did you use?
http://www.blambot.com
thank you!:)
Thanks for the font, and for this amazing comic <3
This is one of my favorite lines of poetry of all time. I write, read, and appreciate poetry. You did this quote justice and I extend my highest gratitude. This made my entire week seeing this quote in this form. Thank you.
#respect.
and just a reminder…have you done anything about my request for a few free wallpapers? if not, please do. i really need them.
I just wanted to say that your drawings have really helped me to appreciate a lot of these old poems, when I didn’t really care for them before. Great work!
Nice work as usual Gav.
Just wondering if that’s a misquote/typo in the fourth last panel… I have seen it as whom the bells tolls, but doesn’t really agree dramatically. Wikipedia quotes Donne (admittedly in archaic English) as:
“No man is an Island, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”
Keep up the fine work
Speaking of typos : ‘grammatically’ above 😉
In a Day
In a Day
See a cloud,
fluffy white, maybe gray
See it pass the heavenly sky
Before it drifts away …
In a Day
Hear a song,
from a Songbird or a Crow
hear the music that Nature makes
the melody, the river flow …
In a Day
Feel the wind
blow across your face
Feel it fast! Feel it slow!
Really feel its windy pace
In a Day
Smell the scent
Whatever it may be
the fragrance of a blossomed flower
the salty air waving from the sea
In a day
Taste this life
Taste it all around
Swirl it in! Swirl it out!
Swallow it upside down …
See it! Hear it! Feel it!
Smell it! Taste it!
Swallow it whole!
Live it! Love it! Lash it!
Catch it while it can be caught
And you are on a roll…
For Some Day,
some time, some place, some where
none of us really know why
we leave this place and those we love
for those we really care…
But maybe …
Yes! Maybe!
Some Day, Some Time, Some Place, Some Where …
Heaven only knows …
We’ll All be reunited in Triumphant chant
with Angels everywhere.
by Sean M Kelly (c) 2010
This deeply touched my heart.
Made me cry :’) Thank you!
RIP Jeff.
Loved this
This also reminds me of the “Around the corner” comic Gav did.
I love metal. Tought I wouldn’t demand a comic depicting metal culture, thanks you did anyway.
I also love classic rock a lot.
However I was born after ’74 and never saw it’s prime.
Now I’m not a huge fan of bands who try to play gigs way past their prime. (I refuse to go to a Rolling Stones gig, simply because it’s probably gonna be their 30th goodbye tour).
Among other bands, I always wanted to see the Doors live. Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger still played live, but for the reason above I never went to see them.
However once a year there is a classic rock festival close to where I live. An older friend told me that is a an excellent Doors expierence the put togehter in their gig. So I wanted to go this summer.
Yesterday I learned that the legendary Ray Manzarek had died and I will never see him play live. I was sad.
I need to seize my oppotunities better, maybe next time it is a long estranged friend who dies… (hello, “around the corner”)
Btw. Nice job avoiding copyright issues leaving out the fifth and bottom sword of the Slayer pentagram. 🙂
Oh, shame, I just looked at an old album and found the fifth sword isn’t in the logo… just lying on the nearby floor, or held by some creature
Uuuuhhhh, what?
Sent me the chills. Big metal fan here (not the air-blowing type) and guitar shredder, you hit homerun. I don’t ever want to put that aside, no matter how old/serious I get. Awesome homage to Jeff too, he was such a big influence on so many people.
On a side note, he was a HUGE WWII fan, and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” being a war novel… seems appropriate 😉
Nicely done.
Would be an awesome poster with some editing to make it smaller!
Indeed. Brilliant as always.
LOVE the tribal tattoo and the rolled up sleeve in the last panel. NICE touch. Your ability to tell a story subtly through pictures is incredible.
This is pure awesome…thank you…
So, he’s married but sits in a single size bed?
Actually, who cares. Great work as always.
Please please please make a print of this. This is literally my existence. This was what my day was like that day, in a nut shell.
For some strange reason, I really like this one..
Oh I got it.. I’m listening to a music that somewhat creates a mood like this..
Good work Gav.. You make someone’s day better.. And you will always have my respect for that..
Gavin, is that the justice saga kid grown up?
Just considering the shape of the nose and overall facial structure.
May it’s just coincidence
He seemed to have gotten taller over his five (?) appearances.
Also, why don’t you link to the latter appearances in the earlier comics or is the “saga” concluded after the first three?
No, it’s not meant to be. But yeah, I guess they do have similar faces …
that was a blastt
“Losing It” – RUSH
The dancer slows her frantic pace
In pain and desperation
Her aching limbs and downcast face
Aglow with perspiration
Stiff as wire, her lungs on fire
With just the briefest pause
The flooding through her memory
The echoes of old applause
She limps across the floor
And closes her bedroom door…
The writer stare with glassy eyes
Defies the empty page
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage
Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision
And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more…
Some are born to move the world
To live their fantasies
But most of us just dream about
The things we’d like to be
Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you, the blind who once could see
The bell tolls for thee…
I’m curious.. Is it same woman from start and end? I’m ask this question because it’s seem different woman. Forgive me for my curiously!
Thanks
BRAZILIAN/PORTUGUESE
This is the first time that “proverb” has made actual meaningful sense to me. It’s always used so haughtily that the purpose is lost, but with this context, I get it. Beautiful, and thank you.
There is no coincidence on the link between Metallica´s song and Hemingway. The song describes the bombing of a hill during the Spanish Civil War and the deaths of the soldiers on it, just like a section of the book.
saw the title and wasn’t surprised it had a metal theme. most youngster these days (including me…ahem!) attribute the quote to Metallica & not to the actual poem or book
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours
and my users would certainly benefit from some of the
information you provide here. Please let me know if
this okay with you. Many thanks!
I love this. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. Please make it a poster.
i just happened to be listening to this song when i stumbled upon this…
Phenomenal!
Wow.
This is really beautiful, it strikes my heart so hard, as a metalhead but also a sensitive mix of artist and engineer and a whole bunch of human being. Thank you for such a beautiful interpretation of the verse turned into a picturesque metal story.
This is so unbelievably cool. That man is me!
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate,Important distinction there, Rajiv, between demands and requests.
Montre Louis Vuitton http://www.explorethemed.com/Images/sac.asp?id=16
I am confused. I have done a lot of research on fermenting (yeah, i’m a nerd!) and usually something has to be the positive bacteria in order to eat the sugar.
Chaussures Louis Vuitton http://www.explorethemed.com/Images/sac.asp?id=27
Nicely done.
Woww i’m chocked.
Great post!
http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=tabbooingcom-20&o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=amazon_student&banner=11JR04FNKYYANW06VJ82&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=326F5BXHRZC4OTHD
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free.
this blog was really great, never seen a great blog like this before. i think im gonna share this to my friends..
I would also motivate just about every person to save this web page for any favorite assistance to assist posted the appearance.
Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read.
ive been examining this blog site for a while and also have a matter probably you’ll be able to support its how can i include your feed to my rss reader as i need to observe you Thanks
I am confused. I have done a lot of research on fermenting (yeah, i’m a nerd!) and usually something has to be the positive bacteria in order to eat the sugar.sdadfs
This is a wonderful article, Gives so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more.
I have seen the information on this page! I really happy to see this! Thank you!
Men as well as women tend to be lining as much as order acai berries medicine, with several reasons. The acai acai berries is rapidly becoming the most popular trend within weightloss because the opening associated with hoodia in the past
Whenever a home based job, attempt to usually accomplish your individual greatest. Oneself confidence might endure should you frequently location function requirements forward of your requirements. Stay thoroughly clean as well as nicely outfitted
Be sure you keep the communications for your customers in a sensible degree so you provide them with the info they have to understand however don’t overburden all of them. Allow clients choose in to improvements via news letters or even a good e-mail checklist
The “Home Service Information” provides you all essential Home information at your door step. We are offering services for almost every section of your home like roofing, plumbing, plastering, gardening, painting and decorating. Moreover we provide services for maintenance of your car and double glazing also.
vBuick may be the main name associated with luxury, comfort and ease, and safety for his or her parent company General Motors for nearly a hundred years. Buick has already established a lengthy
The practical problems in the Land Acquisition act must be addressed and Real estate Regulatory bill must be introduced with requisite changes to make the industry more transparent and accountable along with making the approving authorities accountable for delays.
Other folks attempt to bring up value of their house by w°y of improvements. You can find people who just take pleasure in tinkering. Regardless of yu eason fr redesigning, you are cµrtain to expeience thesµ home impovement suggestions.
Nevertheless, the the truth is real acai acai berries extracts as well as power tend to be indeed the robust as well as effective weight loss supplement
I love this. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. Please make it a poster.
I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. Thanks For sharing this Superb article.
I am cheerful to discover such a large number of good point here in the post composing is just incredible a debt of gratitude is in order for sharing.
any man can be an island of his own, an ocean of his own river, a cloud for his own sky, a star for his own universe
The strange guitar line was recorded next, and then the vocals. The lyrics are a mantra to keep focused on goals and to never forget the beauty of LIFE.
Your music is amazing. You have some very talented artists. I wish you the best of success.
All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention…..
Excellently written article, doubts all bloggers offered the identical content since you, the internet has to be far better place. Please stay the best!
This is a Nice Post.
This is very educational content and written well for a change. It’s nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post.!
This is a good Post.
The strange guitar line was recorded next, and then the vocals.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful posting. It is very useful.
Thank you. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free.
I have seen the information on this page! I really happy to see this! Thank you!
I should say only that its awesome! The blog is informational and always produce amazing things.
I love this. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. Please make it a poster.
That is a strange combination but I like it. Especially the parclife panel.
Thanks for sharing this. I liked the pictures
Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read.
Excellent post, The post is written in very a good manner and it entails many useful information for me.
However, as vets’ charges grow a lot more expensive and also fancy health-related techniques and also drugs grow to be available, getting pet medical insurance has changed into a necessity in today of unsure financial weather.
If you imagine that preserving a thorough, watchful vision over your beloved pets isn’t a 24 hour or so around-the-clock-the-job, I urge one to reconsider also to read this kind of very quick article concerning an upcoming danger to the fitness of your precious pets.
These are very important and needs to be placed inside visible locations but usually are not those who people have a tendency to notice initial or look closely at.
Parents in many cases are in the lookout regarding new & interesting child toys that can come going being coming right out of the market. The distinct & definitive element from your option will be the additional advantage this type of toys offer you.
This is a very well written and useful article. I am glad to come across your page.
I read your website quite often and each time I am impressed by your topics and artworks. Beautiful 🙂 posted at
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.
A4 Reality owes its meteoric rise to highest echelons of the real estate industry to the ceaseless efforts
Real estate
I found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.fgd
If you really desire to get such type of information, visit this blog quickly.
The article you might have posted keeps huge information came to be efficient. Howdy, 1st I must state Pregnancy miracle articles with this website are incredibly fascinating in order to peruse.
Thanks for sharing these are very important and needs to be placed inside visible locations but usually are not those who people have a tendency to notice initial or look closely at.
Superbly written article, i have bookmarked your page. This is what i am looking for sembawang.
If you haven’t experienced your maximum strength and muscular potential, the results from Spartagen XT will blow you away.spartagen xt
I had read a lot of information and it gives me a lot of ideas and knowledge. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this article together. Keep up writing!
I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post.
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
and then the rose-border. What intensity in those odorous buds of the Bon Silene, making the very spirit bound as though a message had reached it from heaven. And the verbena bed is compassed with fitful fragrance. Even the pansies, with their dewy eyes, are ready to rival the violets now…. Nor must the purple buds of the calycanthus be forgotten. ‘Sweet-scented shrub’ indeed; for let me hide but a single one of these in some fold of my dress, and the spices of Araby will float around me till the evening.
would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.usheat.com page
Thank you Gavin for your “JOHN DONNE: For Whom the Bell Tolls” comic post
http://vuelosdelalma.blogspot.com/2013/11/kampung-inggris-pare-kediri.html
A leader is a dealer in hope. Napoleon
For Whom the Bell Tolls. Great!
Comments are closed.