Winchester Cathedral–Updated
I was in Europe last week–visiting Father Reginald Foster in Rome (miraculously, he’s improving, but he still needs prayers), and attending a conference on my colleague Vincent Rougeau’s book on Christians in the American Empire at Notre Dame’s facility in London on Trafalgar Square.
While it was uncharacteristically cold and wet in Rome, it was spring–glorious spring–in England. And on the weekend, I took a trip to see Winchester Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Europe. You can see the earliest Saxon structure, and the medieval flying buttresses set off against the bright blue sky. Apparently, the whole thing almost collapsed in the early twentieth century, and was saved by a diver who worked underwater shoring up its foundations.
I did not know that Jane Austen is buried in the Cathedral. A fresh bouquet of yellow roses was adorning the plaque near her grave. I think she’d like the people-watching there.
Of course, I can’t resist. . . I vaguely remember learning to dance in elementary class to the song “Winchester Cathedral.” Thanks to Youtube, here is the Lawrence Welk version:
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UPDATE: Mea culpa: What can I say? My father used to watch Lawrence Welk. But I have been duly enlightened and chastised by Jimmy Mac and David Nichol: Here’s the real thing, which Jimmy Mac kindly linked to in his comment:
There is only ONE holy sanctified authorized version of Winchester Cathedral … faithfully translated from the original vulgar version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv_RfFmJ5nA
I am very please to learn that somebody puts some flowers near Jane Austen’s grave. Several years ago a friend of mine wrote to some friends about Jane Austen and the influence Austen had on her life:
“As I discovered and fell in love with Jane Austen’s works, I developed an understanding of how kindness and thoughtfulness in small things makes an impact on people’s lives. I began to respect and cultivate self control and sensitivity to others emotions, though I still struggle with that.”
Cathy,
The Lawrence Welk version of Westchester Cathedral??? Jimmy Mac is absolutely correct. There’s only one version. What are you going to bring us next? The Beatles Song Book by The Hollyridge Strings? Frank Sinatra’s recording of Ol’ Man River? Somebody other than Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow? William Shatner’s version of Rocketman???
Wasn’t Winchester Cathedral a parody of Alan Sherman’s Westchester Hadassa? Or maybe it was the other way around. :-P
Lawrence Welk!? I’m beginning to see why you love Stephen Colbert.
Jimmy Mac once again brings the blog together with timely and insightful commenting! And David Nickol as well!
I’ve heard “Winchester Cathedral” (long ago), but until now haven’t seen it performed. I love the Allen Sherman version, but he can’t beat a band with a bird perched on the drum kit! And I don’t think Welk ever read a newspaper while his band played.
In any case, it’s Holy Week, so back to “Superstar”.
David: trivial pursuit time.
Per this, Winchester Hadassah is a parody of Winchester Cathedral:
http://www.mp3lyrics.org/a/allan-sherman/westchester-hadassah/
Finally a perfect posting!
The New Vaudeville recording is the best.