More G. K. Chesterton And Michael Hoppe

I am interested in my visitors – I like to see what posts interest you and what I can do to provide more helpful material.

I can’t help notice that someone from Dundee, England regularly visits the article on G. K. Chesterton and Michael Hoppe. I’m not sure if you are enjoying Hoppe’s music or Chesterton’s poem, so I will give you a little more of each.

Chesterton has been called the "prince of paradox". Time magazine, in a review of a biography of Chesterton, observed of his writing style: "Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out." For example, Chesterton wrote, "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it."

So…for your enjoyment – here are two more poems by Chesterton. I have chosen two poems that fit sweetly into the themes of this blog, although he did not stick to religious themes, these are two beauties:

The Ancient of Days                                                   

A child sits in a sunny place,

Too happy for a smile,

And plays through one long holiday

With balls to roll and pile;

A painted wind-mill by his side

Runs like a merry tune,

But the sails are the four great winds of heaven,

And the balls are the sun and moon.

A staring doll's-house shows to him

Green floors and starry rafter,

And many-coloured graven dolls

Live for his lonely laughter.

The dolls have crowns and aureoles,

Helmets and horns and wings.

For they are the saints and seraphim,

The prophets and the kings.


A Hymn

O God of earth and altar,

Bow down and hear our cry

Our earthly rulers falter,

Our people drift and die;

The walls of gold entomb us,

The swords of scorn divide,

Take not thy thunder from us,

But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,

From lies of tongue and pen,

From all the easy speeches

That comfort cruel men,

From sale and profanation

Of honour and the sword,

From sleep and from damnation,

Deliver us, good Lord!

Tie in a living tether

The prince and priest and thrall,

Bind all our lives together,

Smite us and save us all;

In ire and exultation

Aflame with faith, and free,

Lift up a living nation,

A single sword to thee.

…and here is my latest favorite piece by Michael Hoppe – it is off the Grammy-nominated album, “Afterglow,” recorded in 1999. This album is a collaboration of improvisational instrumental music by Michael Hoppe (keyboards), Martin Tillman (‘cello) and Tim Wheater (flute). All three are spectacular musicians. Although they are not creating this music specifically for religious purposes, I am always drawn to the Lord when I hear them. What exquisite pictures they paint!

Thoughts of You

 Hoppe, Tillman and Wheater

The other clip of Hoppe's music is HERE