‘The universe is always singing
Words on a Quaker tapestry
That means that man must learn
to listen so that his heart
may join the universal chorus’
Quakers are always listening hearts singing as they make new Jerusalems They sang in the courts abjuring oaths and made a grace of affirmation Sang at the massacre of Peterloo their Meeting House a sanctuary from murder Sang as conductors on the underground railway for slaves going North by the drinking gourd Sang in their chocolate factories Respected, paid and housed the new working class Sang in thousands against the Great War, refused to kill the Christ in everyman Sang of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as their hearts broke at the Jerusalems of ash Still march at Easter to the mad laboratories of Aldermaston Sing for murdered children from Damascus to Kabul Reject the new Jerusalem of guns and occupation
Roy Lockett lives in Kentish Town, London and was Deputy General Secretary of BECTU, the film, broadcasting and theatre union.