RIP Christine!

I usually pride myself in being able to select an appropriate song for certain events but alas, for the death of Queen Elisabeth, I can only copy the most popular rock song that is being played on BBC radio 2.

It feels strange realising that the Elizabethan era of 70 years is at an end. Tonight for the first time in St Paul’s Cathedral the version of the British National Anthem, which has not been heard in my lifetime, rang out: “God save our gracious king ..” It is incredible to think that for the rest of my life I will never again hear God save the Queen. Likewise, it is highly likely that my new great nephew, who was born yesterday, the day the Queen died, (the circle of life right there) is also highly unlikely to ever hear in his lifetime “God save the Queen” because we know the next three monarchs will be kings as Prince William’s oldest child (George) is a male.

Like all things in this very broken and divided world, even the death of a woman who tirelessly served the UK up until 48 hours before her death still draws harsh criticism from some hardline republican quarters. To one particular comment about the Queen costing the writer money through her taxes I wrote the following:

Just to add a comment to stimulate thought, it is still possible to critique the concept of a monarchy without conflating that with the person of Elizabeth herself. A lot of the Queen’s so called wealth, really belongs to the state. Did she enjoy wealthy surroundings? Yes of course. Was her life anymore materially opulent than the many very wealthy multi-millionaires that inhabit this planet? I doubt it.

So here’s the critical question. If we are not complete egalitarians, and we also assume that those who contribute most to our society should receive a higher reward, can it not be argued that her contribution of over 70 years of unceasing service makes her a rightful candidate for generous financial compensation?

But someone will counter what did she contribute? The simple answer is herself. She gave relationally all her life to people and made them feel something positive in her presence. And she did this for more people than probably anyone else alive.

But surely that’s not much is it? She never started a business, was a top surgeon, scientist or politician? Yet haven’t we just left out actors, comedians, writers and musicians? Does Paul McCartney deserve his wealth? Many would say yes because of his giant contribution to rock music. But what is the utility of his work? The answer is simply it brings joy into people’s ordinary lives just as the Queen’s countless hours of meeting people from all walks of life brought joy and meaning into theirs.

I am not a strong royalist but by any measure the overall balance sheet of what the Queen gave to Britain and the world through her service far exceeds what she took from it. Most people cannot honestly say that about their own lives which therefore makes Elizabeth, the person, an exceptional woman and worthy of a nation’s grief.

RIP Queen Elizabeth II. Thanks for your 70 years of service. I am confident Jesus will welcome you with those blessed words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

Also from the Beatles

So sadly often when I add a new song to the post Covid Island Discs section it is because a famous singer has passed away. As I write this post I have just heard that Olivia Newton-John has lost her long battle with breast cancer and has passed away at the age of 73. Although I could have cited one of her tunes while I was originally compiling the song list, I never did. So it only seems appropriate that tonight I should add the Grease classic “You’re the one that I want” which probably reflected Olivia at her musical peak. RIP Olivia

The tributes are starting

Ship of fools by World Party was released in 1986 long before people were talking about global warming. In those days, the subject of discussion was the hole in the ozone layer. This song now seems horribly prophetic and as for “paying tomorrow”, that tomorrow is now today as we begin to bear the first fruits of global heating; effects that are only going to get worse and worse as we progress through the 21^st century.

I was saying to friend how disorientating everything feels in late May of 2022. As I said this, it reminded me of a song by the late great John Lennon and I wondered what this rather eccentric yet genius-gifted musician would make of it all if he was still alive today. If he thought the late 1970s were odd, he would be apoplectic living in the 21^st century. I did not realise this song was not released until 1984 over 3 years after his tragic assassination in 1980.

Analysis of why Russia starts insane wars by Vlad Vexler

It was therefore significant that on the 25^th of March 2022, Sting re-released a Cello/guitar version of his famous hit Russians which first appeared on the Dream of Blue Turtles album that was released in 1985. After the collapse of the Berlin wall, we all thought that this song had been safely assigned to history. As with so many assumptions in this fallen world, how wrong we all turned out to be. Anyway, I guess the only good thing to come out of Putin’s unspeakable wickedness is at least we get an updated version of this Sting classic to enjoy for another 30 years (assuming Putin doesn’t do something completely insane).