Religion
Related: About this forumThe modern pilgrims retracing Britain's ancient routes
Devout Christians and committed atheists are among those rediscovering the joys of slow travel on foot with strangers
Saturday 15 April 2017 03.00 EDT
Harriet Sherwood
In one of the smallest churches in England, a couple of dozen people are taking the weight off their walking boots for a moment of quiet reflection in the cool gloom. Outside, an unlikely April sun pours over the South Downs.
It seemed, says Will Parsons, a good moment to learn the lyrics of John Bunyans To Be a Pilgrim perhaps, he adds, adopting neutral terms to be more inclusive.
The group was soon belting out the 17th-century hymn, drawing curious passersby to peer into the tiny hillside Church of the Good Shepherd, in Lullington. Come wind, come weather, regardless of lions, giants, hobgoblins or foul fiends, theres no discouragement / Shall make them once relent / Their first avowed intent/ To be a pilgrim, they sang.
This merry band are part of a new boom in pilgrimage which has seen the re-establishment of ancient routes and the growing participation of people on a spectrum of belief from religiously devout to committed atheists.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/15/modern-pilgrims-retracing-britain-ancient-routes-christians-atheists
edhopper
(33,479 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)edhopper
(33,479 posts)sarcastic?
I've read Blake but I didn't know any of his poems had been set to music.
edhopper
(33,479 posts)the second national anthem in England. Like our God Bless America.
That is why I asked.
I have been familiar with it for a long time.
okasha
(11,573 posts)but I've never heard it actually sung in an American church.
edhopper
(33,479 posts)that praise those English bastards?
okasha
(11,573 posts)Remember the line about the "dark satanic mills?" Blake was an early environmentalist.
But of course, it's not sung much in the US because of its specific references to England. Maybe if "England's mountains green" could become the Blue Ridge or the Adirondacks, now....
edhopper
(33,479 posts)okasha
(11,573 posts)The poem is based on a very old legend that Jesus visited England--specifically Glastonbury in Cornwall-- in the company of Joseph of Arimathea. In the legend, Joseph is Jesus' (great?) uncle, a merchant who trades in Cornish tin, among other things.
The same story also relates that Joseph returned to Cornwall after the crucifixion, bearing with him the cup from the Last Supper. Much of English Grail literature has its origin in this legend, locating the Grail Castle on or near Glastonbury Tor. Holy Well, at the foot of the Tor, is said in some iterations to be the cup's hiding place, while the Holy Thorn grew from Joseph's staff.
rug
(82,333 posts)edhopper
(33,479 posts)Glastonbury Tor is the legendary location of Camelot.
okasha
(11,573 posts)Glastonbury Tor and its associated wetlands are identified as Avalon.
edhopper
(33,479 posts)that Stonehenge guide wasn't accurate.
okasha
(11,573 posts)since the mid1500's. How old was your Stonehenge guide?
edhopper
(33,479 posts)the guide we had at Stonehenge. He obviously misinformed us.
okasha
(11,573 posts)You never know what's going to come popping out of one of rhose barrows...
edhopper
(33,479 posts)told be about Quetzalcoatl.