This piece tries to celebrate in a 'musical' way the awakening of Ann Lee, who was born in Manchester, England, in 1736 and who became the principal spiritual leader of the Shakers.


Shake!

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Look at me, look at me,
I'm your preacher,
I'm your teacher,
I'm a man of God,
Now wouldn't it be odd
If you were here instead
Of me,
Ann Lee?

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
What is your disability?
You must not talk, not even mumble,
You must not move, not even fumble,
Why can't you sit still in the pews?
Why must you tap your Sunday shoes?

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Why do you want to be free?
Don't complain, not even grumble,
Don't show off, you must be humble,
Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Listen to me, listen to me,
I'm a man of ministry.

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Look at me, look at me,
I am your God,
And it's not odd
To see me in a trance,
To love me in a dance,
Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Come and join with me.

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
Listen to me, listen to me,
I am the God of mystery,
And you can see me
Through a glass opaque,
And you can feel me
When you SHAKE!

Ann Lee, Ann Lee,
It's time to be free,
Take God's hand,
Leave Old England,
Dance to America,
Entrance to America,
Embrace to America,
Embark to America!

And some will say
When you sail away
That you are a fraud
And will die by God's sword,
But whether real or fake
You will always be remembered
As the Lady of the SHAKE!




Poetry by Christopher Fernie The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 745 times
Written on 2016-09-22 at 13:09

dott Save as a bookmark (requires login)
dott Write a comment (requires login)
dott Send as email (requires login)
dott Print text


Jamsbo Rockda The PoetBay support member heart!
I really liked this. It explained her very well and the rhymes were cool :)
2016-09-28


Kathy Lockhart
Well Mr. Christopher Fernie, you've written a very moving poetic illustration of the Shakers! The rhythm alone had my spirit awakened and aroused. It is a shame that those Shakers believed in celibacy and children were only begotten through indenture, adoption, or conversion. It's no wonder the sect didn't last very long.

There is a Shaker Village less than two hours from my home. I've never been there, but I understand it is a beautiful place.
It's my understanding the Shakers were great farmers, business men and women, good at woodworking, mechanics and I suppose whatever they undertook. After all, they had to do something the other 6 days of the week. Didn't they?
2016-09-23



Pretty poem. I love how musical it is.
2016-09-22