Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
"Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in his 1937 collection Continual Dew.
The British town of Slough was used as a dump for war surplus materials in the interwar years, and then abruptly became the home of 850 new factories just before World War II. The sudden appearance of this "Trading Estate", which was quickly widely reproduced throughout Britain, prompted the poem. Seeing the new appearance of the town, Betjeman was struck by the "menace of things to come". He later regretted the poem's harshness. The poem is not about Slough specifically, but about the desecration caused by industrialization and modernity in general, with the transformation of Slough being the epitome of these evils. Nevertheless, successive mayors of Slough have understandably objected to the poem.
The poem was written two years before the outbreak of World War II, during which time Britain (including Slough itself) experienced actual air raids. Much later, in a guide to English churches, Betjeman referred to some churches as "beyond the tentacles of Slough" and "dangerously near Slough". However, on the centenary of Betjeman's birth in 2006, his daughter apologised for the poem. Candida Lycett-Green said her father "regretted having ever written it". During her visit, Mrs Lycett-Green presented Mayor of Slough David MacIsaac with a book of her father's poems. In it was written: "We love Slough".
Slough (i/ˈslaʊ/) is a town in Berkshire, England, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) west of central London. It is bisected by the A4 and the Great Western Main Line. In 2011, the population of Slough was 140,200 and the most ethnically diverse in the United Kingdom outside London, with the highest proportion of religious adherents in England.Historically part of Buckinghamshire, Slough is home to the Slough Trading Estate, the largest industrial estate in single private ownership in Europe.
History
The first recorded uses of the name occur as Slo in 1196, Sloo in 1336, and Le Slowe, Slowe or Slow in 1437. It first seems to have applied to a hamlet between Upton to the east and Chalvey to the west, roughly around the "Crown Crossroads" where the road to Windsor (now the A332) met the Great West Road. The Domesday Survey of 1086 refers to Upton, and a wood for 200 pigs, worth £15. During the 13th century, King Henry III had a palace at Cippenham. Parts of Upton Court were built in 1325, while St Mary the Virgin Church in Langley was probably built in the late 11th or early 12th century, though it has been rebuilt and enlarged several times.
A slough is a wetland, usually a swamp or shallow lake, often a backwater to a larger body of water. Water tends to be stagnant or may flow slowly on a seasonal basis.
In North America, a slough can be a side-channel from or feeding a river, or an inlet or natural channel only sporadically filled with water. An example of this is Finn Slough on the Fraser River, whose lower reaches have dozens of notable sloughs.
E. Rigsson reading Slough By John Betjemann
Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.
Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.
And get that man with double chin
Who'll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women's tears:
And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.
But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It's not their fault that they are...
published: 22 May 2018
"Slough" by John Betjeman (read by Tom O'Bedlam)
An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling).
The Office, Series 1 is sold "appropriately adorned with John Betjeman's poem Slough. " Therefore this reading is appropriately adorned with a picture of Ricky Gervais.
The Statue of Sir John is at St Pancras Station.
Actually Slough has improved a little since Sir John made his opinions known. Whether there's a connection, I don't know.
published: 09 Jan 2009
Slough by Sir John Betjeman (read by Ben W Smith)
If you like my work, please help support the channel by liking, leaving a comment, subscribing, and sharing on social media. Thanks :)
This is my reading of Sir John Betjeman’s quietly damning poem ‘Slough’. Stay tuned for more great poetic content!
#JohnBetjeman #BenReadsPoetry #SpokenPoetry
published: 21 Jun 2023
"Slough" by David Brent - Official Video
David Brent: Life on the Road is coming to UK & Ireland cinemas on Friday, August 19, 2016!
published: 15 Aug 2016
1980s Slough | Jewel in the Berkshire crown | Poems about Slough | TN-88-122-025
THAMES NEWS - 26.9.88 - SLOUGH: RESIDENTS PUBLISH BOOK OF POETRY. TO ANSWER ONE OF THE TOWNS CRUELLEST CRITICS-' PM. 122/25 THE LATE POET LAUREATEIJOHN BETJEMAN.
Intv.Matthew MOORE....recites poem. _
Gavin EWART...describes what J.BETJEMAN interests where,
like architecture.
"Attila the Stockbroker" describes the good points about Slough....shopping presinct...its the Berkshire Riveria. the jewel in the crown._
Est.shot-Continental Electrics of Slough building &
To license a clip please e mail: [email protected]
Quote: TN-88-122-025
published: 04 Dec 2014
Slough by John Betjeman - Poetry Reading
Solugh - A poem by About the poem - "Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in the 1937 collection Continual Dew. It was written in protest against 850 factories that were to be built in the English town of Slough. The poem caused an uproar when first published.The poem was written two years before outbreak of World War II, during which Britain (including Slough itself) experienced air raids for real.
About the poet - Sir John Betjeman, (28 August 1906 -- 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster. He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British televis...
published: 28 Nov 2012
Slough (poem) Top # 10 Facts
Slough (poem) Top # 10 Facts
published: 30 Oct 2015
Slough poem
Me and my best friend.
published: 09 Jun 2016
Slough - By John Betjeman
I was asked to do this for a group I attend, it's just a short little project, based on the poem, Slough, a poem reflecting on the ugliness and anonymity of new market towns, which has reached peak in places like Slough, King's Hill and Milton Keynes. Sorry if you come from these places, but they are almost like they've been designed as a disguised, soul crushing Guantanamo Bay.
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0dYPfN-PM&feature=related (film counter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-935cbXTt_g (reading)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpokenVerse (reader)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9RO_v52e4 (birdsong)
Random Google Images searches for related pictures
No rights reserved.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for pur...
E. Rigsson reading Slough By John Betjemann
Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over...
E. Rigsson reading Slough By John Betjemann
Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.
Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.
And get that man with double chin
Who'll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women's tears:
And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.
But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It's not their fault that they are mad,
They've tasted Hell.
It's not their fault they do not know
The birdsong from the radio,
It's not their fault they often go
To Maidenhead
And talk of sport and makes of cars
In various bogus-Tudor bars
And daren't look up and see the stars
But belch instead.
In labour-saving homes, with care
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair
And dry it in synthetic air
And paint their nails.
Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.
A recording from 2013 never released, published now with the encouragement of friends and associates.
Copyrights of the images belong to their respective owners and were used for presentation purposes only.
E. Rigsson reading Slough By John Betjemann
Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.
Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.
And get that man with double chin
Who'll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women's tears:
And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.
But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It's not their fault that they are mad,
They've tasted Hell.
It's not their fault they do not know
The birdsong from the radio,
It's not their fault they often go
To Maidenhead
And talk of sport and makes of cars
In various bogus-Tudor bars
And daren't look up and see the stars
But belch instead.
In labour-saving homes, with care
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair
And dry it in synthetic air
And paint their nails.
Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.
A recording from 2013 never released, published now with the encouragement of friends and associates.
Copyrights of the images belong to their respective owners and were used for presentation purposes only.
An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling)...
An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling).
The Office, Series 1 is sold "appropriately adorned with John Betjeman's poem Slough. " Therefore this reading is appropriately adorned with a picture of Ricky Gervais.
The Statue of Sir John is at St Pancras Station.
Actually Slough has improved a little since Sir John made his opinions known. Whether there's a connection, I don't know.
An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling).
The Office, Series 1 is sold "appropriately adorned with John Betjeman's poem Slough. " Therefore this reading is appropriately adorned with a picture of Ricky Gervais.
The Statue of Sir John is at St Pancras Station.
Actually Slough has improved a little since Sir John made his opinions known. Whether there's a connection, I don't know.
If you like my work, please help support the channel by liking, leaving a comment, subscribing, and sharing on social media. Thanks :)
This is my reading of S...
If you like my work, please help support the channel by liking, leaving a comment, subscribing, and sharing on social media. Thanks :)
This is my reading of Sir John Betjeman’s quietly damning poem ‘Slough’. Stay tuned for more great poetic content!
#JohnBetjeman #BenReadsPoetry #SpokenPoetry
If you like my work, please help support the channel by liking, leaving a comment, subscribing, and sharing on social media. Thanks :)
This is my reading of Sir John Betjeman’s quietly damning poem ‘Slough’. Stay tuned for more great poetic content!
#JohnBetjeman #BenReadsPoetry #SpokenPoetry
THAMES NEWS - 26.9.88 - SLOUGH: RESIDENTS PUBLISH BOOK OF POETRY. TO ANSWER ONE OF THE TOWNS CRUELLEST CRITICS-' PM. 122/25 THE LATE POET LAUREATEIJOHN BETJEMAN...
THAMES NEWS - 26.9.88 - SLOUGH: RESIDENTS PUBLISH BOOK OF POETRY. TO ANSWER ONE OF THE TOWNS CRUELLEST CRITICS-' PM. 122/25 THE LATE POET LAUREATEIJOHN BETJEMAN.
Intv.Matthew MOORE....recites poem. _
Gavin EWART...describes what J.BETJEMAN interests where,
like architecture.
"Attila the Stockbroker" describes the good points about Slough....shopping presinct...its the Berkshire Riveria. the jewel in the crown._
Est.shot-Continental Electrics of Slough building &
To license a clip please e mail: [email protected]
Quote: TN-88-122-025
THAMES NEWS - 26.9.88 - SLOUGH: RESIDENTS PUBLISH BOOK OF POETRY. TO ANSWER ONE OF THE TOWNS CRUELLEST CRITICS-' PM. 122/25 THE LATE POET LAUREATEIJOHN BETJEMAN.
Intv.Matthew MOORE....recites poem. _
Gavin EWART...describes what J.BETJEMAN interests where,
like architecture.
"Attila the Stockbroker" describes the good points about Slough....shopping presinct...its the Berkshire Riveria. the jewel in the crown._
Est.shot-Continental Electrics of Slough building &
To license a clip please e mail: [email protected]
Quote: TN-88-122-025
Solugh - A poem by About the poem - "Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in the 1937 collection Continual Dew. It was written in ...
Solugh - A poem by About the poem - "Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in the 1937 collection Continual Dew. It was written in protest against 850 factories that were to be built in the English town of Slough. The poem caused an uproar when first published.The poem was written two years before outbreak of World War II, during which Britain (including Slough itself) experienced air raids for real.
About the poet - Sir John Betjeman, (28 August 1906 -- 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster. He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.
For more videos log onto http://www.youtube.com/pearlsofwisdom
Also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pearlsofwisdomchannel
Subscribe & Stay Tuned - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=pearlsofwisdom
Solugh - A poem by About the poem - "Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in the 1937 collection Continual Dew. It was written in protest against 850 factories that were to be built in the English town of Slough. The poem caused an uproar when first published.The poem was written two years before outbreak of World War II, during which Britain (including Slough itself) experienced air raids for real.
About the poet - Sir John Betjeman, (28 August 1906 -- 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster. He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.
For more videos log onto http://www.youtube.com/pearlsofwisdom
Also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pearlsofwisdomchannel
Subscribe & Stay Tuned - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=pearlsofwisdom
I was asked to do this for a group I attend, it's just a short little project, based on the poem, Slough, a poem reflecting on the ugliness and anonymity of new...
I was asked to do this for a group I attend, it's just a short little project, based on the poem, Slough, a poem reflecting on the ugliness and anonymity of new market towns, which has reached peak in places like Slough, King's Hill and Milton Keynes. Sorry if you come from these places, but they are almost like they've been designed as a disguised, soul crushing Guantanamo Bay.
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0dYPfN-PM&feature=related (film counter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-935cbXTt_g (reading)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpokenVerse (reader)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9RO_v52e4 (birdsong)
Random Google Images searches for related pictures
No rights reserved.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
I was asked to do this for a group I attend, it's just a short little project, based on the poem, Slough, a poem reflecting on the ugliness and anonymity of new market towns, which has reached peak in places like Slough, King's Hill and Milton Keynes. Sorry if you come from these places, but they are almost like they've been designed as a disguised, soul crushing Guantanamo Bay.
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0dYPfN-PM&feature=related (film counter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-935cbXTt_g (reading)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpokenVerse (reader)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9RO_v52e4 (birdsong)
Random Google Images searches for related pictures
No rights reserved.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
E. Rigsson reading Slough By John Betjemann
Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.
Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.
And get that man with double chin
Who'll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women's tears:
And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.
But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It's not their fault that they are mad,
They've tasted Hell.
It's not their fault they do not know
The birdsong from the radio,
It's not their fault they often go
To Maidenhead
And talk of sport and makes of cars
In various bogus-Tudor bars
And daren't look up and see the stars
But belch instead.
In labour-saving homes, with care
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair
And dry it in synthetic air
And paint their nails.
Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.
A recording from 2013 never released, published now with the encouragement of friends and associates.
Copyrights of the images belong to their respective owners and were used for presentation purposes only.
An atypical poem published in 1937 of revulsion rather than celebration which was Betjeman's usual mood.
Half-a-crown was one eighth of a quid (pound sterling).
The Office, Series 1 is sold "appropriately adorned with John Betjeman's poem Slough. " Therefore this reading is appropriately adorned with a picture of Ricky Gervais.
The Statue of Sir John is at St Pancras Station.
Actually Slough has improved a little since Sir John made his opinions known. Whether there's a connection, I don't know.
If you like my work, please help support the channel by liking, leaving a comment, subscribing, and sharing on social media. Thanks :)
This is my reading of Sir John Betjeman’s quietly damning poem ‘Slough’. Stay tuned for more great poetic content!
#JohnBetjeman #BenReadsPoetry #SpokenPoetry
THAMES NEWS - 26.9.88 - SLOUGH: RESIDENTS PUBLISH BOOK OF POETRY. TO ANSWER ONE OF THE TOWNS CRUELLEST CRITICS-' PM. 122/25 THE LATE POET LAUREATEIJOHN BETJEMAN.
Intv.Matthew MOORE....recites poem. _
Gavin EWART...describes what J.BETJEMAN interests where,
like architecture.
"Attila the Stockbroker" describes the good points about Slough....shopping presinct...its the Berkshire Riveria. the jewel in the crown._
Est.shot-Continental Electrics of Slough building &
To license a clip please e mail: [email protected]
Quote: TN-88-122-025
Solugh - A poem by About the poem - "Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in the 1937 collection Continual Dew. It was written in protest against 850 factories that were to be built in the English town of Slough. The poem caused an uproar when first published.The poem was written two years before outbreak of World War II, during which Britain (including Slough itself) experienced air raids for real.
About the poet - Sir John Betjeman, (28 August 1906 -- 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster. He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.
For more videos log onto http://www.youtube.com/pearlsofwisdom
Also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pearlsofwisdomchannel
Subscribe & Stay Tuned - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=pearlsofwisdom
I was asked to do this for a group I attend, it's just a short little project, based on the poem, Slough, a poem reflecting on the ugliness and anonymity of new market towns, which has reached peak in places like Slough, King's Hill and Milton Keynes. Sorry if you come from these places, but they are almost like they've been designed as a disguised, soul crushing Guantanamo Bay.
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0dYPfN-PM&feature=related (film counter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-935cbXTt_g (reading)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpokenVerse (reader)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9RO_v52e4 (birdsong)
Random Google Images searches for related pictures
No rights reserved.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!
"Slough" is a ten-stanza poem by Sir John Betjeman, first published in his 1937 collection Continual Dew.
The British town of Slough was used as a dump for war surplus materials in the interwar years, and then abruptly became the home of 850 new factories just before World War II. The sudden appearance of this "Trading Estate", which was quickly widely reproduced throughout Britain, prompted the poem. Seeing the new appearance of the town, Betjeman was struck by the "menace of things to come". He later regretted the poem's harshness. The poem is not about Slough specifically, but about the desecration caused by industrialization and modernity in general, with the transformation of Slough being the epitome of these evils. Nevertheless, successive mayors of Slough have understandably objected to the poem.
The poem was written two years before the outbreak of World War II, during which time Britain (including Slough itself) experienced actual air raids. Much later, in a guide to English churches, Betjeman referred to some churches as "beyond the tentacles of Slough" and "dangerously near Slough". However, on the centenary of Betjeman's birth in 2006, his daughter apologised for the poem. Candida Lycett-Green said her father "regretted having ever written it". During her visit, Mrs Lycett-Green presented Mayor of Slough David MacIsaac with a book of her father's poems. In it was written: "We love Slough".
It was Schemenauer’s childhood dream to be a published author, and she even wrote a poem about spring when she was eight, which she stuck in a bottle and threw into a pond-like slough on her ...
The latter brought to mind the opening lines of John Betjeman’s 1937 poem, Slough, which decried the unthinkingly grim expansion of industrial parks, air conditioning and labour-saving homes in the ...
Slough. Slough railway station was for a time the ‘royal station’ and was from where Queen Victoria made her first train trip ... The cultural establishment has been unkind to Slough. Betjeman’s famous poem hollered.
The heat will not singe this slough ...Captain Joe had invited me to lead a writing workshop, not beside the slough, but on it ... I read Mark Jarman’s poem, “Dispatch from Devereux Slough,” that concludes, “The world has changed.
In an essay on AK Ramanujan (in a soon-to-be-published volume), Arvind Krishna Mehrotra writes, \u201cWhen someone like Ramanujan translates, it is often his own poem he\u2019s composing by other means.\u201d One might say the same of Mehrotra.
However, it missed the mark in the most fundamental way ... Worse yet, fentanyl is not unique ... “Slough”, his despairing poem published in 1937, was aimed at the trading estate, a former dump site for army vehicles, and not the town.
So many friends made, so much kindness.” He had been uplifted by “the hospitality and the gaiety”, and concluded, flatteringly, that Ireland was “a wholly ...