Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral is due to resonate with the sounds of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ this Saturday (May 16th) – a song that opens with the line ‘Imagine there’s no heaven’.
John Lennon died almost thirty years ago, yet his legacy is as strong as ever. With The Beatles back catalogue due to be re-released later this year – and possibly sold online – the songwriter’s work is due to be flung back into public attention.
‘Imagine’ is taken from the Phil Spector produced album of the same name, and has gone on to become a universal anthem for peace. Driven by Lennon’s piano chords it has been lauded and reviled in equal measure, with some objecting to a multi-millionaire singing the lines ‘Imagine no possessions’.
Lennon himself labelled the song ‘anti-religious’ but the cathedral is set to play the song three times this Saturday as part of the city’s arts festival.
Bell ringers will play the song, written by one of the city’s favourite sons. A spokesperson for the cathedral said that the song’s lyrics – which include “Imagine there’s no heaven” – had been carefully considered before allowing the stunt to go ahead.
“Allowing ‘Imagine’ to be pealed on our bells does not mean we agree with the song lyric,” the spokesperson said. “But we recognise its power to make us think. As a cathedral we do not shrink from debate. We recognise the existence of other world views.”
The spokesperson added “Imagine is an incredibly gentle, philosophical and moving song which speaks strongly of the need for peace.”
“It is an iconic song which will be performed in a thought-provoking and surprising setting.”
BBC News contacted Yoko Ono, who commented that the idea was “so beautiful, it made me choke up”.
The eight bell ringers will first learn the song on hand bells before moving onto the cathedral’s Anglican bells.
