The Underdog

This week the town in which I live inducted its new mayor. This was followed by a church service. The mayor wants the theme of her year  in office to be The Underdog.

After she was inducted we sang a locally composed hymn. Here are two verses:

Northmen from the Humber to beyond the Tweed,

Thank God for Columba, Oswald, Aidan, Bede;

Ye have sacred palaces, Hexham and Dunelm,

Saints have left their traces in your Northern realm.

Chorus:  Builders of the nation, workers with our God,

              May our generation tread the path they trod.

See the church of Aidan points across the sand,

Where the heavy laden found a quiet land,

In the Isle called Holy, Cuthbert watched in prayer;

Royal folk or lowly sought his counsel there.

Chorus:  Builders of the nation, workers with our God,

              May our generation tread the path they trod.

Impeachment proceedings, Brexit divisions, street protests the world over - let us set these aside and proclaim this the Year of the Underdog.