SYMPHONY No.6 by VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Such violence unbecomes music.

Blatant aggression gives way

To macho swagger.

Man and beast join in intercession.

More than a hint of anglicised jazz –

Snakehips Johnson to the fore,

And death a casual dance across the floor.

Tenderness. There has to be tenderness.

A second subject, folksy.

England in a time warp,

Georgian/Eton/Pastorale.

The universe as one in-your-face movement.

Now let’s talk about the War:

Strident violins, insistent brass,

Faceless terror on the move,

Gloria in parenthesis.

Scherzo for the Blitz,

Dance today, death tomorrow.

Grim abandon, escapist in truth;

Lightning proposals,

Marriage on the hoof.

Which leaves the finale,

Where applause would intrude.

Paradiso out of bombers’ moon –

Believer, believe.

(Michael Newman)

18 Courtiers Drive

Bishops Cleeve

Cheltenham

Glos GL52 8NU