Interview with John Jacob Niles, December 2, 1977

Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with John Jacob Niles for the Kentucky Literature Oral History Project.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about a hat he got in Ireland and discusses his Irish ancestors.

Keywords: Gay Reading; Hats; Irish literature; Poetry

Subjects: Genealogy; Generations; Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980

Partial Transcript: I'd like to talk about American literature today. Kentucky literature, and Lexington literature, to begin.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about his poetry and discusses a poem about death he has not yet finished.

Keywords: Death; Imagery; Writing

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: I, I noticed in looking through "Brick Dust and Buttermilk," the book you published this year, that a number of the fifty-seven poems are, are dealing with death, especially in the final section.

Segment Synopsis: Niles discusses common themes in his poetry, particularly love and death. He recites his favorite poem about death. Niles talks about his inspirations for writing.

Keywords: Females; Poems; Sonnets; Themes; Women

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: So you've written poems to people or about cert--about people or events, but your ideal is a--but the woman is an ideal image.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about his love sonnets and recites some of his work.

Keywords: Couplets; Love; Poems; Writing

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: Tell me, you have been writing poetry since the age of fifteen. Do you ha--do you remember why or, or how that all began?

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about his mother's impact on his writing. He talks about writing "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head." Niles reads more of his poetry.

Keywords: Lyrics; Mothers; Music

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: Well, so, perhaps this same muse inspires you on, on both accounts. And I notice that in "Brick Dust and Buttermilk" you include a number of lyrics--

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about how music compliments lyrics. He recites "Pretty Polly" and talks about musical support.

Keywords: Dulcimer; Lyrics; Music; Verse

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: Well, tell me, were you influenced, let's say back when you were fifteen or on into high school when you were beginning to write. Were you influenced by any particular persons or books? You mentioned your mother.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about his mother reading him German poetry and discusses German poets he read. He talks about the importance of reading to children. Niles talks about reading "Uncle Remus" in school and talks about a teacher he had.

Keywords: English poets; German writers; Joel Chandler Harris; Mothers; School

Subjects: Authors; Literature; Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Poets.

Partial Transcript: You hesitated to name any moderns when you were talking about writers, except for Niles. Are, are there others?

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about modern poets he met, including John Berryman and Ezra Pound. [The recording stops and starts during segment.]

Keywords: Dylan Thomas; Ezra Pound; Joel Chandler Harris; John Berryman; Jonathan Williams; Robert Frost; School

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poets.

Partial Transcript: In the introduction to "Brick Dust and Buttermilk" you, uh, gave credit, among others, to Gertrude Stein.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about meeting Gertrude Stein during WWI. He describes her home and talks about reading his poetry to Stein. [The recording stops and starts during segment.]

Keywords: France; Military; World War I

Subjects: Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980; Poetry.; Stein, Gertrude, 1874-1946.; World War, 1914-1918

Partial Transcript: I found one thing in going to visit, uh, Gertrude Stein. One thing. When you approach a person of vast importance, that's the time for you to be of least importance.

Segment Synopsis: Niles talks about speaking with the King of England. Niles discusses various places where he performed. The interview ends abruptly.

Keywords: Churches; Kentucky; King of England; Performances; Roxy Theatre; Scribner's Magazine; Singing; Supper clubs

Subjects: Musical performance; Niles, John Jacob, 1892-1980