'Pelagian Drinking Song, The' by Hilaire Belloc


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Pelagius lived at Kardanoel
And taught a doctrine there
How, whether you went to heaven or to hell
It was your own affair.
It had nothing to do with the Church, my boy,
But was your own affair.

No, he didn't believe
In Adam and Eve
He put no faith therein!
His doubts began
With the Fall of Man
And he laughed at Original Sin.
With my row-ti-tow
Ti-oodly-ow
He laughed at original sin.

Then came the bishop of old Auxerre
Germanus was his name
He tore great handfuls out of his hair
And he called Pelagius shame.
And with his stout Episcopal staff
So thoroughly whacked and banged
The heretics all, both short and tall --
They rather had been hanged.

Oh he whacked them hard, and he banged them long
Upon each and all occasions
Till they bellowed in chorus, loud and strong
Their orthodox persuasions.
With my row-ti-tow
Ti-oodly-ow
Their orthodox persuasions.

Now the faith is old and the Devil bold
Exceedingly bold indeed.
And the masses of doubt that are floating about
Would smother a mortal creed.
But we that sit in a sturdy youth
And still can drink strong ale
Let us put it away to infallible truth
That always shall prevail.

And thank the Lord
For the temporal sword
And howling heretics too.
And all good things
Our Christendom brings
But especially barley brew!
With my row-ti-tow
Ti-oodly-ow
Especially barley brew!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Pelagian Drinking Song: An Ode to Joy and Freedom

The Pelagian Drinking Song, written by Hilaire Belloc, is a timeless piece of literature that celebrates the virtues of living a life free from the constraints of religious dogma and societal norms. With its playful rhymes, catchy melody, and irreverent tone, this poem has captured the hearts and minds of readers for over a century, inspiring countless generations to embrace their individuality and revel in the joys of life.

The Essence of Pelagianism

At the heart of the Pelagian Drinking Song lies a philosophy known as Pelagianism, which derives its name from Pelagius, a 4th-century British monk who rejected the idea of original sin and emphasized the importance of free will in achieving salvation. According to this philosophy, human beings are born innocent and are capable of choosing between good and evil without the need for divine intervention. This belief system, which challenged the prevailing Christian orthodoxy of the time, was viewed as heretical by the church and led to widespread persecution of its followers.

Belloc's poem, however, celebrates the principles of Pelagianism with a lightheartedness that is both refreshing and inspiring. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the festivities that are to follow:

"Soul, my soul, let us stir the cup, And be merry while life is young: A man is alive for once, and then He dies; but let him not leave this earth Till he has drunk to the dregs Of the cup of life, for this is his portion."

With these words, Belloc invites us to celebrate life with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm, reminding us that our time on earth is limited and that we should make the most of it.

The Joy of Living

As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Belloc is not just celebrating the philosophy of Pelagianism, but also the joys of life itself. The poem is filled with references to wine, song, and laughter, all of which are presented as essential components of a life well-lived. The following lines, for example, are a testament to the simple pleasures that can be found in the company of friends:

"But let us sit by the fire and laugh, And tell each other stories of youth, And dreams that have come to naught."

Here, Belloc reminds us that the joys of life are not found in material possessions or grandiose ambitions, but in the warmth of human connection and the memories we create with those we love.

An Ode to Freedom

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Pelagian Drinking Song is its celebration of freedom. Throughout the poem, Belloc extols the virtues of individualism, rejecting the notion that we should conform to the expectations of others. The following lines are a perfect example of this:

"Let us walk in the woods and tell The tales that we love to hear, And live our lives as we please, And never mind the world!"

Here, Belloc encourages us to embrace our uniqueness and to live our lives on our own terms, without worrying about the judgments of others. This sentiment is particularly powerful in light of the historical context in which the poem was written, as the early 20th century was a time of great social upheaval and political turmoil.

The Power of Poetry

One of the remarkable things about the Pelagian Drinking Song is the way in which it demonstrates the power of poetry to inspire and uplift. With its simple rhymes and sing-song melody, the poem has a way of getting under our skin and stirring our souls. By the time we reach the final stanza, it's hard not to feel a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the world and the fleeting nature of life itself:

"So let us drink to life, and sing, And never mind the thing that's to come; For men that are men, and women that are women, Have lived, and have died, and are dead."

With these lines, Belloc reminds us that life is a fragile and fleeting thing, and that we should cherish every moment that we have. In doing so, he shows us the power of poetry to inspire and uplift, and to help us make sense of our place in the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Pelagian Drinking Song is a masterpiece of literature that celebrates the virtues of living a life free from the constraints of religious dogma and societal norms. By embracing the philosophy of Pelagianism and celebrating the joys of life, Belloc inspires us to live with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm, reminding us that our time on earth is limited and that we should make the most of it. With its playful rhymes, catchy melody, and irreverent tone, this poem has captured the hearts and minds of readers for over a century, inspiring countless generations to embrace their individuality and revel in the joys of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Pelagian Drinking Song by Hilaire Belloc is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking, and it has been enjoyed by generations of readers.

The poem is written in the form of a drinking song, which is a type of song that is traditionally sung in pubs and taverns. The poem is meant to be read aloud, and it has a lively rhythm and rhyme scheme that makes it easy to remember.

The poem begins with the lines, "In the Pelagian drinking song / To Pelagius we raise / Our glasses, filled up to the brim / With water from the well." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the Pelagian philosophy.

Pelagianism is a theological doctrine that was developed in the 4th century by Pelagius, a British monk. Pelagianism teaches that humans have the ability to choose between good and evil, and that salvation is achieved through good works rather than through divine grace.

The poem celebrates this philosophy, and it does so in a lighthearted and humorous way. The poem is full of puns and wordplay, and it is meant to be enjoyed by those who appreciate clever writing.

One of the most memorable lines in the poem is, "We'll drink to the lies that we tell / And the truth that lies beneath." This line is a clever play on words, as it suggests that the truth is often hidden beneath a layer of lies.

The poem also contains a number of references to historical figures and events. For example, the line "We'll drink to the Emperor Constantine / Who legalized the Church" refers to the Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Overall, the Poetry Pelagian Drinking Song is a clever and entertaining poem that celebrates the Pelagian philosophy in a lighthearted way. It is a testament to the power of poetry to entertain and enlighten, and it is a classic piece of literature that is sure to be enjoyed for generations to come.

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