Comments on: Oranges & Lemons Churches

By: Sarah Bradbury

Sarah Bradbury — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 10:50:11 +0000

Your blog inspired me to do the same when I was on a work trip down to the smoke! Thank you.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 16:34:50 +0000

I like this, and how about ‘kettles and pans’ say the bells of St Anne’s?

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:37:42 +0000

Thank you for the YouTube link Greg!

By: Joan Barleycorn

Joan Barleycorn — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 09:22:29 +0000

Odd how one can miss the context of old familiar rhymes. As a child, unfamiliar with business of the City of London, I liked the way the rhyme suggested the sound and tone of the bells and was amused by the conversation between the bells without much thought of its significance. As a teenager I appreciated the sinister use of the rhyme in 1984 and how it signified Winston and Julia’s doomed love and arrest. By focusing on the location of the churches, this post suddenly made it clear that the writer of this old rhyme uses the bells to summarise the business within the narrow lanes and counting houses of the city. It’s all about commodities, exchange, hope of turning a fat profit, handling debt and the uncertainty of the markets. The daily business of the City.
The significance the Church has declined but the power house of the city rumbles on.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 09:14:31 +0000

Love it, memories of childhood.

By: Greg Tingey

Greg Tingey — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 08:57:08 +0000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiurJW1fK_M
Very interesting

By: BeckyB

BeckyB — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 08:17:05 +0000

One of my favourite childhood rhymes – even better now I can picture all of the churches too

By: Ian Findlay

Ian Findlay — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 08:12:31 +0000

Dear Gentle Author,

More churches for you!

From Tonmy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book (1744)

Two Sticks and Apple,
Ring ye Bells at Whitechapple,
Old Father Bald Pate,
Ring ye Bells Aldgate,
Maids in White Aprons,
Ring ye Bells a St. Catherines,
Oranges and Lemons,
Ring ye bells at St. Clements,
When will you pay me,
Ring ye Bells at ye Old Bailey,
When I am Rich,
Ring ye Bells at Fleetditch,
When will that be,
Ring ye Bells at Stepney,
When I am Old,
Ring ye Bells at Pauls.

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 07:44:40 +0000

Lovely idea with the photos of the Churches! Valerie