About the Poem

The Story of the Poem, in four parts, by Charles Bahne

• Longfellow’s inspiration and writing
• Working with The Atlantic Monthly
• Publication and personal tragedy
• Longfellow’s poetic license

Versions of the Poem

• The first published text
• The lines Longfellow left out on purpose
• The lines Longfellow left out by accident
• Longfellow’s final text

Critical Analyses

• How accurately does the poem reflect history?
• Poet and scholar Dana Gioia discusses “Longfellow’s mythmaking” in “Paul Revere’s Ride”
• Anniversary interpretations
• Online essays

Responses and Parodies

• “The Midnight Ride of William Dawes”
• “Israel Bissell’s Ride” and “I. Bissell’s Ride”
• “The Midnight Ride of Santa Claus”