Poetry Review – John Betjeman – Hymn
@arthurchappell (44941)
Preston, England
September 21, 2016 4:05pm CST
Another early poetic gem by John Betjeman, with a wry look at a badly done church restoration.
The 1932 poem is set to the tune of a real hymn, Aurelia, by S. S. Wesley. It spoofs the tendency of Victorian restoration work to involve hurriedly replacing old traditional material with new, cheap inferior material.
The original pews have been sold off and cheap pine ones are in substitution. The old stone aisles have given way to porcelain tiling. The faithful look up heavenward but only because the roof is the only part of the church un-ruined by the changes.
The exact church Betjeman had in mind is not stated as this was a common practice in Britain in the 1880’s.
Youtube of a reading of the poem
Arthur Chappell
For my friend Bob in America, here is 'Hymn' with the addition of 'Croydon' both by Betjeman. With a little rambling about the grevious state of affairs in E...
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2 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Sep 16
sad to see such hear aroubt such nice things plundered for whatever reason
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
23 Sep 16
@Jessicalynnt yes so many lovely buildings were ruined by such practices
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@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Sep 16
@arthurchappell then again I know some things were pillaged to help pay for necc things, which is sad, sad that the area didnt have the income to leave the church in the good condition it once was
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@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
26 Sep 16
@Jessicalynnt yes a lot of church materials get used for other building work which is at least recycling
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