A poem for Lichfield: New literary work given to the city at special ceremony

A specially commissioned poem about Lichfield has been presented to the city during a dedication ceremony.

Lichfield business-owner Laura Evans commissioned local poet Joss Musgrove Knibb to write about the city.

It was the first time a Lichfield poet had been commissioned to write a work about the city with the sole intention of giving it to residents for their enjoyment.

A hand-made scroll was presented to Mayor Rosie Harvey-Coggins, and Louise Fleming of arts and cultural venue The Hub at St Mary’s, who received the poem on behalf of the city.

The event was attended by deputy lieutenant Jeremy Cotton, High Sheriff of Staffordshire Pritpal Nagi, and Dean of Lichfield Cathedral the Rt Reve Jan McFarlane, as well as business and community leaders and schoolchildren.

Mrs Musgrove Knibb said: “This poem is a personal thank you to the place I call home. The whole thing is a dream come true for any poet.”

The original idea for the poem came from a conversation between Mrs Evans and Lichfield resident Julian Fisher. They approached local poet Mrs Musgrove Knibb, all agreeing that they wanted the poem to celebrate the city and be enjoyed by its proud residents both now and by future generations.

As well as being kept on display in The Hub, at the former St Mary’s Church in Market Square, every school in the city will receive a copy of Lichfield From Above for its library.

Also, as part of the project, local schools joined in a competition for pupils to describe in one word what Lichfield meant to them.

Mrs Musgrove Knibb led a team of judges who considered over 220 entries and chose words like ‘magical’, ‘cool’, fun’ and ‘love’. All winners were presented with their own copy of Lichfield From Above plus creative writing gifts.

Mrs Evans said, “I am incredibly passionate about supporting the arts, and commissioning a local Lichfield poet to write about our city; to celebrate its people, its culture and its unique character has been a dream come true.

“I did not anticipate how a small idea could grow into such a wonderful community project bringing so many people together. It felt fitting that the poem should belong to the people of Lichfield and remain accessible for years to come.”

She thanked Mr Fisher, Mrs Musgrove Knibb for joining her on the project.

She said: “I am so very lucky to call the city my home. It is not just rich in beautiful buildings, culture, and history but in people – this project is proof. The poem has highlighted the fantastic community of Lichfield, school children, businesses, community groups, and volunteers.”

Mrs Musgrove Knibb added: “When Laura and Julian approached me to write the poem, I didn’t want the work to solely concentrate on Lichfield’s beauty and rich history.

“Although both are a vital part of this fascinating place, they’re only part of the story. This city was made and is maintained today by its people – their skills, trades and commitment. The poem is a celebration of all Lichfeldians’ heritage and place in our community. Lichfield is a historic, beautiful and wonderous place, and its people ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming city.”

Lichfield From Above, by Joss Musgrove Knibb

Rise up with me, rise up,

You will not fall,

Let's hover over church and hall and all

The busy happiness of place,

This place, this city built upon itself,

Its old foundations resting on the bones of Romans, Saxons, and of saints.

The city is a map of time laid out in beam and brick,

The centre thick with cobbles, lanes and spires.

The bells are choirs of ghosts long gone but clear enough

That if deep sleep forsakes you for the night,

They'll keep you company till light creeps in,

And city-sounds awake.

I would not take away or change a thing about my place,

Who could deface a stone and think themselves

A guardian of our home, this perfect patchwork left by souls who laboured here,

It is as dear as father, mother, family – at least to me.

And standing here we feel that love, that calling from another time

To keep it safe, to cherish it,

To live and perish gracefully within its boundary ditch,

This home, this Lichfield, city built by pilgrims and by trade,

This home we've made.

I write in praise of industry and intellect,

Of choristers who sing the Ave and Collect in ancient naves,

Of falcons nesting high up on the spires,

Of shop-bells, pubs and cafes, feasts and choirs.

You are a ship of time, and though your crews will change with every age,

And though the busy scholars try to pin you to the page

You travel on, through seas of love, and loss, and life,

And strife, and war, and peace, and progress.

You possess a spirit all of us can name,

Though ever changing, ever just the same.

I thank you, living city, for your providence,

For showing me the evidence that doing good is not a source of shame,

For all the souls who make life better, purely for the love of all of it,

Not fame or false acclaim,

For shining as a beacon to the heart,

For beauty and for poetry, spelt out in children, charity, and art,

In festivals and woods and light on water,

I am a daughter, and a pilgrim, long sent out to seek and roam,

And now, at last, I’m home.

Rise up with me, rise up,

We will not fall.

Rise up,

We are the lifeblood of it all.

The work of ages rests here in our hands,

A jewelled, strange machine creating

Love so fierce it binds us to this little plot of land,

This English city, reasonable and sane.

And when we’re gone and place the burden down

Another will rise up and lift it high again.

We are the preservation of this nation of Lichfeldians,

Custodians of something great, yet small.

Rise up, we will not fall.

Rise up, we will not fall.

In nightclub, factory and market square,

Guildhall, museum, library and Christmas fair,

There's life in motion there.

Come close, and listen to the music of a hundred babbling voices,

Let's eavesdrop on the tourists standing pondering their choices

Of which cafe, bistro, restaurant will get their trade.

Let's stand and watch the Bower-floats parade.

This city is just love and pride made manifest,

It is the best of us.

Rise up, and see the wonder that we made.

Rise up, and journey onward, unafraid.

Rise up, and make our hope a city wall,

That welcomes all the dispossessed by war.

We will not fail, or turn within, or falter,

From school and shopping centre, and from altar,

Rise up, and bless it all.

Rise up,

Rise up,

Rise up,

We will not fall.