Betjemen poetry enquiry

This forum is for the discussion of all railway subjects that do not include the LNER, and its constituent companies.

Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard

AndyK
NER Y7 0-4-0T
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 3:59 pm

Re: Betjemen poetry enquiry

Post by AndyK »

Ten years later I've just come across this query and i know the answer.

Old engines with their primal anger gone
Their fire and fury rusted quite away
No longer chuffing into platform one,
Butchered to make a scrapyard's holiday.
Don't think they will not take it hard at Hatch,
Thornfalcon, Donyatt, Chard, their summary despatch.

It is by Caryl Brahms and was broadcast on the satyrical TV programme That Was The Week That Was, but I saw it as a chapter heading in "Gone With Regret" by George Behrend.
User avatar
Autocar Publicity
NER C7 4-4-2
Posts: 847
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:36 pm
Location: Yorkshire

Re: Betjemen poetry enquiry

Post by Autocar Publicity »

A belated thanks. (I'm not able to log in much at the moment).

That does make sense, as the person I was asking for did have a copy of Gone with Regret and could well have half-remembered this. The eulogy was given some time ago but it's a worthy piece of poetry.

Thank you.
Pyewipe Junction
GCR D11 4-4-0 'Improved Director'
Posts: 456
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:53 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: Betjemen poetry enquiry

Post by Pyewipe Junction »

AndyK wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:51 pm Ten years later I've just come across this query and i know the answer.

Old engines with their primal anger gone
Their fire and fury rusted quite away
No longer chuffing into platform one,
Butchered to make a scrapyard's holiday.
Don't think they will not take it hard at Hatch,
Thornfalcon, Donyatt, Chard, their summary despatch.

It is by Caryl Brahms and was broadcast on the satyrical TV programme That Was The Week That Was, but I saw it as a chapter heading in "Gone With Regret" by George Behrend.
I think you mean 'satirical'. 'Satyrical' is something else again!.
Post Reply