Reign On Me

“Sorry kid … we’re a bit late.
Queen Liz has left the building.”

Britannia has taken Elizabeth Regina
the smiling face of a class system
spawned from feudalism
upon a chariot ride to forever ๐Ÿ™ โ™พ๏ธ

As a right royal loyal
defender of the faith โœ๏ธ
she deserves a free pass

from darkness

. . .  to eternal light โ˜€๏ธ

No cryogenic chamber 
for Elizabeth Windsor
as I trust that wasn’t
an empty casket โšฐ๏ธ
the multitude filed past? 

What’s next after such
a sentimental journey?
A trumpet blast back to the past๐ŸŽบ

with King Karl Saxe-Coburg-Gotha No. 3?
As King Charles One was duly beheaded
for causing a bloody civil warโš”๏ธ
Not to be outdone … King Charles Two
presided over the Great Plague of London ๐Ÿ˜ท
and the Great Fire of London๐Ÿ”ฅ
Don’t know about you … but I’m worried
what might happen after the coronation๐Ÿ‘‘

   May I say . . .
with the deepest respect
it has been a privilege to witness
the gracious majesty
of Queen Elizabeth
but isn’t it time for such excessive
entitlement to cease and desist
… to be consigned to history?
Such as a funeral march
  that would reinforce
a victorious Ukrainian Army ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
causing the Russians to up and flee!
Wouldn’t it be moral
to give Balmoral Castle
back to the Scottish
and all those vast estates
handed back to the peasants
from whom they were first stolen?
The crimes of Imperialism
and that Royal Family
a history written in blood
complicit in the business of slavery
the ruinous pushing of opium
onto the gormless masses
an Industrial Revolution that left
the working class broken and penniless
the pillaging of foreign resources
subjects subjugated and oppressed
a colonial monopoly on freedom
  Things never to be repeated
  Things never to be forgotten

Yet … still I left my floral tribute
at Buckingham’s forlorn gates ๐Ÿต๏ธ

Words and Images:
David B. Redpath ยฉ 2022-2023

Title Artwork:
‘St. Bride’ ~ by John Duncan

Photography:
David & Linda Redpath ยฉ2022-2023

Relationships of ownership
they whisper in the wings
to those condemned
to act accordingly
and wait for succeeding kings
and I try to harmonize with songs
the lonesome sparrow sings
There are no kings
inside the Gates of Eden

~ Bob Dylan

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/04/why-we-put-royal-wealth-under-the-microscope-on-eve-of-coronation

120 thoughts on “Reign On Me”

  1. I enjoyed your tribute David but I do not wish for the monarchy to end. It unifies Britons and gives them hope, decency, commitment, faith in something and dignity. Take that away and youโ€™ll end up with what we have here in America. A nation that has become ugly, selfish and consumed by its rights without the responsibilities that go with them. I am loathe to say the โ€œUnited Statesโ€ as we have become the โ€œDivided Statesโ€.
    RIP Elizabeth Regina and Long live the King
    โค๏ธ

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Thanks for your thoughts,
      Christine. Yes, every State does
      need a head. One that inspires
      and brings out the best in a
      civil society.
      More spiritual than material.
      The English have been most
      fortunate in that their system
      of monarchy has evolved into
      something benevolent. Much
      of the credit going to Queen
      Elizabeth. Yet the English Royal
      Corporation needs to trim the
      extended fat off it’s operation.
      It’s aristocratic list of publicly
      funded family hangers on.
      Especially in a time of much
      taxpayer hardship. Personally,
      I much prefer the idea of a
      Meritocracy, rather than a
      hereditary Monarchy.
      Despite the fact I’m originally
      from New York ๐Ÿ—ฝ I don’t like
      to talk about the state of U.S. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
      politics. It’s too depressing ๐Ÿ˜Ž

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks David. I agree to some of your suggestions but Meritocracy unnerves me a little ๐Ÿ˜ณ Sounds good in theory but I could see that being open to all kinds of abuse. Oh well itโ€™s all debatable isnโ€™t it and we have freedom of speech. Although the way America is going. I feel like Iโ€™m living in the Handmaids Tale ๐Ÿคฃ. Nice chatting with you my friend. โ˜ฎ๏ธ

        Liked by 3 people

  2. What a magnificent floral tribute. May she rest in peace.
    I like how you changed tone in the second part.
    The class divide isn’t going to go any time soon, but things will get there slowly, if we don’t destroy the world first.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks for attending the service,
      Philip. Yes, some things belong in
      the dust bin of the past, such as a
      state reinforced system of caste.
      As Martin Luther King Jr. might
      have said, the mountain top โ›ฐ๏ธ
      of a cleaner fairer future is there.
      I just hope we make it one day ๐Ÿ™

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Bravissimo, Australian. Raising a glass to you!

    Her Majesty certainly did her duty as she saw fit to do it. But it is well overdue time that the microphone is passed to those to whom she said she was rendering service. At home and abroad. Are they on her page there?

    And what does it say that so many essential institutions are breaking down in Great Britain but her extended funeral cost so much and was executed without error?

    Best to you, David. Sarah

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thanks for attending the wake, Sarah.
      I was almost washed away in the
      wake of sentimentality flooding
      through my television screen! ๐Ÿ“บ๐ŸŒŠ
      I guess with all the disruption and
      chaos of late, the people needed a
      good dose of sentiment, but it won’t
      help the English public to pay their
      gas bills as they head into winter ๐Ÿฅถ
      Here in Australia the English Queen/
      King is technically our Head of State,
      which actually seems to work out
      as they live far away and have no
      say in the way the country is run.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I just check that with my Welsh
        cousins ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ after the next Scottish
        Independence Referendum? ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
        That Nicola Sturgeon is a firebrand,
        and seems rather determined ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Given that the US is, for all intents and purposes, currently under mob rule, I am in no position to criticize another country’s system of governance, but I agree with you that all the money the British monarchy spends on pagentry and lavish lifestyles would be better spent on social programs to help those in need.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Yes … and Liz, you’ve heard the
      royal chastisement of the masses
      for the over use of the planet’s ๐ŸŒ
      resources … as they take off ๐Ÿ›ซ
      in private jets to the Bahamas ๐Ÿ๏ธ
      There is an urgent need to put
      the brakes on our industrialised
      violation of Mother Nature, but
      to be lectured by the pin up
      models of copious consumption
      gives me a right royal pain in
      the throne region ๐Ÿ‘‘ ๐Ÿ˜Ž

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I’ll never fathom this royalty meme. A very good British pal once explained it, well you must think of her, them, as symbols of the nation. Like a living flag. This did not help, as I am anything but a nationalist. But you have to like her personality and tact. Personally, I think Harry and Meghan have the right idea. Also, I serious wonder if she ever once wore the same outfit or hat, once in her life.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Yes, many a mad hatter owe
      their state of mental health
      to the meticulously coiffured
      Queen Elizabeth.
      It does surprise me, RS, when
      Americans say they feel deprived
      for not having a royal family. Isn’t
      that what the America Revolution
      was all about? Getting rid of
      autocratic aristocratic hereditary
      despots? But then, they did end
      up with Donald Trump ๐Ÿค” ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you muchly, John.
      Yes, from the safety of distance
      here in our luxurious refugee camp
      for the survivors of colonialism,
      I suspect the people will get the
      monarch they deserve ๐Ÿค” ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ
      Otherwise, off with his head ๐Ÿ˜Ž
      Talking of which, you have heard
      about the two previous King Charles?

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Thank you for your post and the beautiful artwork David. I agree that the monarchy needs to modernise. I am in the UK (Scotland) and did have the TV on for the full day on Monday, but it was a very long drawn out process. Irrespective of views about the monarchy, it must have been a very long, tiring and stressful day for the royal family.

    I agree that they need to look at the scope of the Royal Family (but its my understanding that this is in the pipeline driven by King Charles and Prince William). I believe we need a head of state โ€“ just like any other country. i donโ€™t believe that should be mired in politics โ€“ they should be objective and removed from the political infighting etc โ€“ Iโ€™m not sure what the alternative would be though, so I guess until an alternative, non-political option is proposed, Iโ€™ll stick with a King

    Liked by 4 people

    1. An interesting point, Brenda.
      The reason Australia remains
      a constitutional monarchy is that
      nobody here has come up with a
      better proposition. Having your
      Sovereign Liege Lord ensconced
      some ten thousand miles away
      and unable to interfere in your
      daily doings has worked perfectly.
      The down side is we are now
      obliged to put King Charles’ face
      on all our coins, and if he decides
      to come Down Under for a visit,
      the Australian taxpayer will be
      footing the bill, as always
      (have you ever seen an English
      royal put their hand in their
      pocket and pull out their wallet?).
      Being a descendant of William
      Wallace ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐Ÿ˜Ž I must admit to
      my inherent bias regarding any
      sassenach aristocrats from the
      line of King Edward Longshanks,
      AKA, the Hammer of the Scots.
      All that’s left to say is a rousing,
      “Scots Wha Hae!”

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Fantastic pictures! Donโ€™t agree with the sentiment but enjoyed the tribute. As a British, I believe that the Royal Family contribute to Britain far more than they costโ€ฆI canโ€™t help feeling that it would have been more effective for Charles to step aside for the much younger Wills though. Plans are afoot with the king to slim down the Royal family, basically to the direct line of descent. However Iโ€™m not going to argue about the pluses or minuses, yours was a superb tribute and much appreciatedโ€ฆ

    Liked by 3 people

    1. A most regal thank you ๐Ÿ™
      Being an Australian of Scottish
      extraction I do have a different
      point of view when it comes to
      all the pomp and circumstance
      (not to mention the expense)
      of a society based on Downton
      Abbey, with the anachronism of
      a hereditary hierarchy referred
      to as a monarchy. I think the
      French have it right when they
      shout, Libertรฉ, Egalitรฉ, Fraternitรฉ!
      Did you know that the English
      royal family practices nepotism?
      If I was English I’d probably vote
      for King Charlie ๐Ÿ‘‘ but I’m not …
      so I can’t, most unfortunately ๐Ÿ˜Ž

      Like

      1. Itโ€™s the pomp and circumstance that people love! Different points of view are good, we can agree to disagree, and still be friends. I wouldnโ€™t want to live anywhere else but this Kingdom, be it small and no longer great! Stay well !

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I think the Bard summoned it up best:

        “This royal throne of kings,
        this scepter’d isle,
        this earth of majesty,
        this seat of Mars,
        this other Eden, demi-paradise,
        this fortress
        built by Nature for herself
        against infection and the hand of war,
        this happy breed of men,
        this little world,
        this precious stone set in the silver sea,
        which serves it in the office of a wall,
        or as a moat defensive to a house,
        against the envy of less happier lands,
        this blessed plot, this earth, this realm,
        this England, this nurse, this teeming
        womb of royal kings, fear’d by their
        breed and famous by their birth,
        renowned for their deeds as far from
        home, for Christian service and true
        chivalry, as is the sepulchre in
        stubborn Jewry(! ?) of the world’s
        ransom, blessed Mary’s Son,
        this land of such dear souls,
        this dear dear land,
        sear for her reputation through
        the world, is now leased out,
        I die pronouncing it,
        like to a tenement or pelting farm:
        England, bound in
        with the triumphant sea hose
        rocky shore beats back the envious
        siege of watery Neptune, is now
        bound in with shame, with inky blots
        and rotten parchment bonds:
        That England, that was wont
        to conquer others, hath made
        a shameful conquest of itself.”

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Hi David,
    I made a comment a few days ago and I noticed when I pressed Post, nothing showed up.
    Usually it says Your Comment Is Awaiting Moderation.
    But nothing.
    Not even a dropped farthing from Uncle Ernie.
    Anyways I received no notification of a Like or a Reply.
    So I’m assuming the WP gremlins ate it.
    Anyways I congratulated you on being a descendant of William Wallace as William Wallace was one of my great heroes.
    One of my favourite Classics Illustrated Comics as a kid was The Scottish Chiefs which was about William Wallace.
    One of my favourite movies was Braveheart which was also about William Wallace.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You’ll be glad to know that my
      petition to the Privy Council, as
      to the legitimacy of Charles
      Saxe-Coburg-Gotha’s claim to the
      British Crown, has been scheduled
      for a hearing in early October. Well
      before any fraudulent coronation
      can take place. I’ll be reposting the
      archaeological evidence proving
      the House of “Windsor” to be a nest
      of usurpers, so here’s hoping ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿคž

      Liked by 2 people

      1. In my original comment, I had mentioned that my best friend in Grade 6 was a Mormon and his family being the good Mormons they were had done extensive genealogical research on their family.

        Anyway it turned out that my best friend and his family were direct descendants of Edward I aka Edward Longshanks.

        Being a William Wallace devotee, I was horrified but bit my tongue and said nothing.

        Anyways as a result of their research, the spirit of Edward Longshanks was posthumously baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a special ceremony in a Mormon Temple.

        Perhaps the New World Order and/or Mormon Church and/or Charles Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Windsor

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Ungoodness Ungraciousness Me !!!
        Well, that’s one for the book, Chris.
        The Book of Mormon, that is ๐Ÿ˜Ž
        Yes, perhaps Edward Longshanks
        and the Latter Day Saints deserve
        each over ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Yes, Jerry Lee Lewis would undoubtedly be rolling over in his non-Temple non-magical non-Mormon underwear at that thought.

        Edward Longshanks and the Mormon Church do deserve one another.๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ•ถ

        Anyways my best friend from Grade 6 is no longer a Mormon.

        He is now an atheist and teaches Paleontology at the University of Alberta.

        Although interestingly enough one of his major paleontological finds was finding the skeleton of a winged snake over in Israel.

        Which interestingly leads credence to the opening chapters of Genesis since the serpent in the Garden is winged and God curses him telling him that henceforth he’ll crawl on his belly and eat dust.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. I had heard about that winged
        snake discovery in Israel.
        There needs be a documentary
        made of all the archaeological
        discoveries the High Priests of
        Atheist Academia don’t want you
        to know about. Perhaps it would
        need to be a series, a long series ๐Ÿค”

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you, Christopher.
      Bravehheart is a monumental epic
      of a movie. Yet you’d be forgiven
      for assuming William Wallace was
      a highlander, when in fact he was
      born not far from Glasgow and spent
      most of his time in the Stirling area,
      close to the English border. Very
      handy for engaging the Sassenach
      invaders (with extreme prejudice).
      The humble village of Redpath is
      just a caber toss from Stirling Castle.
      The Redpath clan had been established
      in the area since well before the13th
      century, as documented in the Ragman
      Roll of 1296, which recorded the local
      Laird, William de Redepathe, dutifully
      rendering due homage under the
      reign of John Balloil. The Redpath
      land holdings extended from the
      Antonine wall to the south, the River
      Forth to the East, Melrose to the
      west, and Brigadoon to the North.
      According to family records, the
      Redpath clan had sent many of it’s
      best and bravest to fight Edward
      Longshanks, some sadly never to
      return, and with a village full of
      comely young lassies, William
      Wallace did the patriotic thing in
      helping to keep the population up,
      so to speak. Yes, William Wallace
      was a very good neighbour.
      It’s been a tradition in my family
      ever since that the first born son
      be named William (I was third in
      line, sadly).

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for the fascinating history, David.
        My great-great-great grandparents were named Melrose (the husband’s original name and I don’t know what my great-great-great grandmother’s maiden name was).
        They were concert singers who apparently performed at the courts of Emperor Napoleon III, the Emperor of Austro-Hungary and the Czar of Russia.
        We used to have a locket that was a family heirloom.
        On one side of the locket was a photo of the singer Mr. Melrose who was a distinguished looking gentleman.
        On the other side of the locket was the singer Mrs. Melrose who was an absolutely stunningly beautiful woman (she wouldn’t have had to worry about being beheaded by the 19th Century Pan Goatee).
        Sadly the locket was locket was lost when my Bob Dylan song hating sister threw out a whole bunch of items that were in my dad’s house.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Very appropriate that you’re
        great-great-great- grandparents
        were named Melrose then, as
        their Scottish namesake is a
        particularly beautiful part of the
        world. Melrose Abbey is featured
        in my ‘Laird of Bonnie Doon’ post
        (a brief family history, and why
        the House of Winsor should move
        out and issue me an apology),
        which you’ve inspired me to reblog
        in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s sad
        passing.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. The Redpathโ€™s were never great
        with geography, Brenda. That
        may explain why they sold so
        much of their land to the Kerrs,
        who then took over most of the
        Melrose parish in Roxburghshire,
        that does extends to the border.

        Like

      4. If not for the likes of Rabbie Burns,
        & Sir Walter Scott, would there be any
        poetic literature for the Sassenachs
        to read about … or not? ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐Ÿ˜Ž

        Liked by 1 person

      1. My Deep State contact, WD-40
        (he needs to be lubricated ๐Ÿบ๐Ÿพ ๐Ÿฅƒ
        to get any information out of him),
        has confirmed that there has been
        a concerted campaign to intercept
        the transmissions of a certain
        Dracul Van Helsing. Christopher,
        you are being monitored! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, they don’t like us peasants
      using up their planetary resources.
      Just the other day, Harry & Megan
      told me off for not being vegan
      as they ate a pork pie ๐Ÿ–
      To be frank, that unfortunate
      encounter left me feeling like a
      revolting proletariat, Art โœŠ๐Ÿ˜Ž
      I may be bias, for my forefathers
      were kicked off their land so that
      Queen Victoria would not have the
      hassle of seeing unclean farmers,
      and other unwashed vassals, as she
      gazed out from Balmoral Castle.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Beautiful and Loyal tribute to Queen Elizabeth of England.most impressive post,my dear!!๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐ŸŒบ

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Need a throne David? We should have one to spare after today – just a small admin charge ( I take all major credit cards). Buyer collects, though there may be royalties due .

        Liked by 1 person

      2. We’re all high on royal jelly here in the
        colony watching the coronation live on
        television, despite the new Queen Bee ๐Ÿ
        being a bit of a drone. Sadly, there was
        no buzz of anticipation amongst the
        congregation as Charlie got his crown ๐Ÿ‘‘
        and sat down on his high throne in the
        Hive of the Imperial Honeycomb.

        Like

    1. Add a big dose of ENTITLEMENT
      and you’ve just about got it ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘
      May you stay dry ๐ŸŒง๏ธ in Charlie’s ,
      reign โ˜” Jonathan ๐Ÿ™

      Like

  10. My daughter is a proper Brit now, as are my granddaughters. I donโ€™t know how they felt about Queen Elizabethโ€™s funeral or her sonโ€™s coronation. We mainly talk about the children, or my aging and ailing mom. I watched The Crown and admired Queen Elizabeth very much, especially after understanding how hard she worked. I cannot weigh in on the matter of the monarchy since I live in the US. Weโ€™re being pulled apart by the extremists at each end of the rope. If you get a chance, David, read โ€œHigh Conflictโ€ by Amanda Ripley. Itโ€™s not just about politics, law, and the history of conflict. Itโ€™s about how to become a better listener, and for me, a better reader. Forgive the minor tangent. I always enjoy your poetry and images. I love how you tie so many ideas together. Itโ€™s like watching a weaver magically plucking stardust from the sky, a petal from this flower, a stanza from a song, and letโ€™s include that blokeโ€™s dusty sandal to carry it. ^^โ™ฅ

    Liked by 1 person

  11. a stirring group of visuals David and disturbing ruminations of things that must be faced; like you. I do not think that Charles will redress all the injustices of the past; it appears at this early stage he is addicted to the pomp and pageantry

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A royal thanks for facing the demonstrably
      monstrous monarchial facts, John ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜Ž
      I suggest that King Charlie is addicted to
      the wealth, both ostentatious and hidden,
      being a Nepo baby weaned with a golden
      spoon in his mouth.

      a Savile Row shop mannequin
      seated below a neon sign
      flashing the word “SERVICE”
      to a throbbing hypnotic drone
      the congregation chanting
      the word “SERVICE” in unison
      and then a sparkling crown ๐Ÿ‘‘
      is lowered down
      with the word SELF-SERVICE
      secreted in the lining
      unseen by the congregation ๐Ÿ™ˆ
      with a sigh of relief
      the mannequin king
      sings along to the hymn . . .
      ‘O Great Hyphenation Giveth Meaning’
      and then the benediction of the High Thief
      by the Priest of the SELF-SERVICE Feast
      . . . “Long Live The King!”

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes Christopher, it all reminds me
      of that song from ‘The Producers’

      ๐ŸŽถ Springtime for Charlie
      and the Royal Family . . .
      Winter for the working class
      and the peasantry ๐Ÿฅถ ๐ŸŽถ

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Some sources say the casket was indeed empty. They had to take out the Queen after she started kicking around the casket and they didn’t want all that ruckus during the sombre procession.
        No mention of cryogenic crypts, so I guess the Queen is still alive somewhere ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      2. A Royal Flush !!! โ™ฅ๏ธโ™ ๏ธโ™ฆ๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Ž
        I suspect Charles had a hand in it.
        England now has the youngest
        Monarch in 22 years ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ
        I have it on good authority ๐Ÿ‘‘
        that it was one of the Queen’s
        corgis in that casket โšฐ๏ธ

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Truly a fabulous post!
    You said a lot, and with respect.
    I super enjoyed the Eric Burdon video. Lol…Google had him dead!
    Lots of mistakes and misinfo out there in cyberspace. Let’s hang on to our hats!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for perusing my treasonable
      subversive material, Resa ๐Ÿ˜Ž ๐Ÿ™
      Eric Burdon, against the odds, is a true
      Rock ‘n’ Roll survivor. One of the few
      from the British Invasion of the 60’s.
      Now we have Ed Sheeran, with songs
      sounding a bit like something you’ve
      heard before in the long ago, like a
      processed echo through cyberspace.
      . . . What’s the world coming to? ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ

      Like

    1. I’m still waiting for King Charles to do
      the right thing and give me the keys to
      Balmoral Castle.
      As Bob Dylan once said …
      “Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
      steal a lot and they make you king.”
      I think Donald Trump must have been
      listening๐Ÿ‘‚when Bob sang that song.
      Thanks for joining the revolution, Art โœŠ๐Ÿ˜Ž

      Like

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

%d bloggers like this: