In the Bleakmidwinter - War and religion

Twice in the show, in the first episode and in the last (of the second season), Tommy speaks this one line from a famous Christmas poem written by Christina Rossetti, which was published posthumously in 1904. In 1906, around 13 years before the show was set, it was repuplished in the English hymnal with the setting by Gustav Holst. It quickly became a popular Christmas hymn. As a coincidental side note, Rossetti was a leading advocate in women's rights, which fits nicely in tune with the theme of strong power women dominating discussions and scenes in the show.

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone: snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, heav’n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heav’n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. Enough for him, whom cherubim worship night and day, a breast full of milk and a manger-ful of hay; enough for him, whom angels fall down before, the ox and ass and camel which adore. Angels and archangels May have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can I give him — give my heart.

In a letter to his friend, W. G. Whittaker, Holst wrote this: “Music, being identical with heaven, isn’t a thing of momentary thrills, or even hourly ones. It's a condition of eternity." [Gustav Holst, letters to W. G. Whittaker, pg 25]

Apparently, (though difficult to source) this

was a popular poem for soldiers in the first world war and was often quoted before going over the top to their almost certain deaths.

Perhaps the mud underfoot and the grave hollowed out infront of him reminded him of the trenches and the hopelessness.

An interesting choice for last words from Tommy Shelby as an atheist. But perhaps in this moment when he has no doubt of his looming death, Tommy Shelby, the man who has a 'reputation of not being scared of anything', looks up to the God he doesn't believe in, for appeasment.

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Bibliography

[Gustav Holst, letters to W. G. Whittaker, pg 25]

#war #religion #quotes