Canterbury Cant On the Murder of Thomas Becket

Canterbury Cathedral Cant Cold silence On that stony floor No man or woman walks where he was killed brother of your heart Murdered by your careless slip of speech-- rash threat Uttered by you-- brother of blood since childhood Lifelong friend, Harry, king -- raged a childish rage brought your world crashing murder plots by wife and children you had no will to resist without him you buried peace within his tomb threw yourself face down and wept upon that place blood and tears turned into stone His blood never washed--nor your tears-- a thousand years away David and Jonathan reborn you werer Bond that grips the spirit Lives entangled in struggles beyond compare mighty passions within mighty spirits raged surpassing friendship lost men equal genius is inborn and not forgotten it tears my heart it tears my heart Note: Thomas was Archbishop of Canterbury, Henry Tudor--his best friend, King of England. They were drinking buddies and lifelong best friends. In a rabid discussion over politics and theology--Henry stormed off muttering curses. In his bad temper he wished his best friend dead to be rid of the problem. two thugs took up the challenge---to gain a place of power--and they stabbed Thomas to death in the cathedral. The rest, as they say, is history. It was a tragic story of friendship lost and interesting to read about if you are so inclined.