John Betjeman quotes
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“Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.”
-- John Betjeman -
“Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.”
-- John Betjeman -
“Imprisoned in a cage of sound, even the trivial seems profound”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (2005). “Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of Betjeman's Religious Verse”, p.73, A&C Black
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“And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait Because I have a luncheon date.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (1970). “John Betjeman's collected poems”, John Murray Publishers
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“What the Londoner sees in his mind’s eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and outlined against a foggy sunset, and the great arc of Barlow’s train shed gaping to devour incoming engines, and the sudden burst of exuberant Gothic of the hotel seen from gloomy Judd Street…”
-- John Betjeman -
“Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (2005). “Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of Betjeman's Religious Verse”, p.53, A&C Black
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“It's strange that those we miss the most Are those we take for granted.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman, “The Hon. Sec”
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“And behind their frail partitions Business women lie and soak, Seeing through the draughty skylight Flying clouds and railway smoke. Rest you there, poor unbelov'd ones, Lap your loneliness in heat, All too soon the tiny breakfast, Trolley-bus and windy street!”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman, “Business Girls”
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“Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans. Spare their women for Thy Sake, And if that is not too easy, We will pardon Thy Mistake. But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be, Don't let anyone bomb me.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (2007). “Tennis Whites and Teacakes”, Hodder & Stoughton
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“And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London sky”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (2005). “Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of Betjeman's Religious Verse”, p.82, A&C Black
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“I don't think I am any good. If I thought I was any good, I wouldn't be.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (1994). “Letters: 1951 to 1984”
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“People's backyards are much more interesting than their front gardens, and houses that back on to railways are public benefactors.”
-- John Betjeman -
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“I have a Vision of the Future, chum. The workers flats in fields of soya beans tower up like silver pencils, score on score.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman (2005). “Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of Betjeman's Religious Verse”, p.177, A&C Black
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“History must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.”
-- John BetjemanSource : 1952 First and Last Loves.
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“There are two thing you need for a jolly good hymn.The first is a set of words that expresses the mood or sentiment of the worshipper.The second-and perhaps even more important- is a good tune..with a simple popular melody.”
-- John Betjeman -
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“Topography is one of my chief themes in my poetry..about the country, the suburbs and the seaside... then there come's love... and increasingly; the fear of death.”
-- John BetjemanSource : Radio Talk on BBC Third Programme, 1949.
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“Hymns are the poetry of the people.”
-- John BetjemanSource : Radio Talk on BBC Radio, July 04, 1975.
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“I ought to warn you that my verse is of no interest to people who can think.”
-- John BetjemanSource : John Betjeman, Stephen Games (2006). “Trains and buttered toast: selected radio talks”, John Murray Pubs Ltd
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“Ludlow....is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.”
-- John Betjeman -
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“Oh Wasn't it naughty of Smudges? Oh, Mummy, I'm sick with disgust. She threww me in front of the judges, And my silly old collar-bone's bust.”
-- John Betjeman -
“Hymn tunes are the nearest we've got to English folk music..”
-- John BetjemanSource : Radio Talk. BBC Radio 4, August 2, 1978.
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