…I’ve grown a little leaner Grown a little colder Grown a little sadder Grown a little older And I need a little angel Sitting on my shoulder I need a little Christmas now –Jerry Herman, “We Need a Little Christmas” … Continue reading
Author Archives: Charles A. Coulombe
Autumn Reveries
Mellow-faced, with eyes of faery, wistful clad in tinted leaves, See the brown October tarry by the golden rows of sheaves; Oak & acorn in his garland, fruit & wineskin in his hands, Mystic pilgrim from a far land down … Continue reading
England and Always: Can These Bones Live?
“ENGLAND AND ALWAYS” THE BRITISH, THE EMPIRE, AND THE FAITH Part IX: Can These Bones Live? All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots … Continue reading
England and Always: Coming Home
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part VIII: Coming Home 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 … Continue reading
England and Always: Decline and Fall
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part VII: Decline and Fall Why, If there’s a God in the sky, Why shouldn’t He grin High Above this dreary Twentieth century din? In this strange illusion, Chaos and … Continue reading
England and Always: Imperium et Libertas?
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part VI: Imperium et Libertas? His column was five thousand strong—all mounted men—and guns: There met, beneath the world-wide flag, the world-wide Empire’s sons; They came to prove to all … Continue reading
England and Always: Romance and Religion
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part V: Romance and Religion The splendour falls on castle walls And snowy summits old in story: The long light shakes across the lakes, And the wild cataract leaps in … Continue reading
England and Always: Good King George and the Dragon
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part IV: Good King George and the Dragon Ye, Tories all rejoice and sing, success to George our gracious King. The faithful subjects tribute bring, and execrate the Congress. These … Continue reading
England and Always: In the Good Old Colony Days
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part III: In the Good Old Colony Days In good old colony days When we lived under the King, Three roguish chaps fell into mishaps Because they could not sing … Continue reading
England and Always: When the King Enjoys His Own Again
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part II: When the King Enjoys His Own Again Though for a time we see Whitehall With cobwebs hanging on the wall Instead of gold and silver brave Which formerly … Continue reading
“England and Always”: Part I: Separated by a Common Language
“England and Always” The British, the Empire, and the Faith Part I: Separated by a Common Language If England was what England seems An’ not the England of our dreams, But only putty, brass, an’ paint, ‘Ow quick we’d drop … Continue reading
The Celtic Church — Myth and Reality II
[Click here for part one.] Depending upon whom you read or speak to, the received modern narrative about “Celtic Spirituality” is roughly like this. Once upon a time, the Druids lived happily in green and misty Celtic lands, leading their … Continue reading
The Celtic Church — Myth and Reality
For many people — practicing, nominal, and non-Catholic alike — in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere, St. Patrick’s day is welcome relief from the rigours (if any) of Lent, or at the very least a mid-spring party. Shamrocks … Continue reading
Longfellow and the Faith
And in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God … Continue reading
The Pagan Temptation
A few weeks ago, I did something I have not done since I was nine years old. I went to a performance at the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre near downtown Los Angeles. It was a delightful rendition of The Nutcracker … Continue reading
