England's Antiphon

"England's Antiphon" by George MacDonald is a journey through English religious poems, revealing how they mirror the nation's spiritual and cultural past. Diving into the roots of poetry and its bond with worship, MacDonald presents the idea of the "antiphon," or responsive singing, as a guide that provides a path in choosing poetry for the collection. Reflecting on sacred verses from the 1200s, he looks at church struggles and the population's quiet faith amidst upheaval. MacDonald intends to grow understanding for poets who contributed to this tradition over time. The central focus of the collections is to explore each poem emphasizing its deep connection with the religious and cutural history. This helps to illuminate the path of religious thought through the ages while emotionally engaging with the lyrical expressions of past generations.