The modern pilgrims retracing Britain's ancient routes

[rug]

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 Bunyan’s 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, “there’s 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]

1. And did those feet...

[rug]

2. Thanks, ed. I had never head of that hymn.

[edhopper]

3. are you being

sarcastic?

[rug]

5. No.

I've read Blake but I didn't know any of his poems had been set to music.

[edhopper]

7. It is treated almost as

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]

10. It's in American Episcopal hymnals,

but I've never heard it actually sung in an American church.

[edhopper]

11. Why would we sing hymns

that praise those English bastards?

[okasha]

14. The hymn doesn't praise the English.

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]

15. That would work for the Mormons

[okasha]

17. ..

[okasha]

4. The words are by William Blake.

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]

6. Thanks, okasha.

[edhopper]

8. And of course

Glastonbury Tor is the legendary location of Camelot.

[okasha]

9. Actually, Cadbury Hill, not far away, is associated with Camelot.

Glastonbury Tor and its associated wetlands are identified as Avalon.

[edhopper]

12. Well then

that Stonehenge guide wasn't accurate.

[okasha]

13. Cadbury has been identified with Camelot

since the mid1500's. How old was your Stonehenge guide?

[edhopper]

16. Not a guidebook

the guide we had at Stonehenge. He obviously misinformed us.

[okasha]

18. And how old was he?

You never know what's going to come popping out of one of rhose barrows...

[edhopper]

19. You should hear what one guide in Mexico

told be about Quetzalcoatl.