I ended my St George sermon by asking whether ‘The Great Martyr’ of Crusade-wracked medieval Europe was an appropriate patron saint for our country, in these times. Wondered whether it was time to return to the original patron saint of the English, Edward the Confessor (peaceable English king, diplomat, man of reverent faith). I raised a few eyebrows and completely shocked myself when I heard myself suggest that perhaps our reigning Queen might be considered for future patronage: another peaceable, devout monarch.
No-one really seemed to get what I was on about so I let it drop. Wasn't till I got to unwind ten hours later in front of another BBC Four rerun of No Direction Home that I realised that, for me, a contemporary patron saint would probably be a musician, an inspirational artist of the calibre and integrity of Dylan. He's a real contender, but perhaps it wouldn't be Dylan himself ... because in one of the many exceptional quotes in that exceptional documentary film Dylan points us towards The Man...
"Woody Guthrie's songs ... are much more than just songs," he said, "They teach you how to live your life..."
john davies
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