Dance tune by and performed on the harp by Vanessa Wood-Davies arr. Peacock's Tale. Vocal Maz. Percussion and dance calls Gaz. Lyric by Peacock's Tale. We tell the story of the Great Fire of Lynn and what the visionary Margery Kempe did there and also what she said and did when a heresy court threatened her with death by fire and on a late voyage when confronted with death by water.

St Margaret's is burning but Jesus tells me
Here in my mind that all shall be well.
"Shall I carry the Sacrament towards the fire?"
Asks our priest. - Sir, yes. And to hell.

St Margaret's is burning; I'm urging the Lord
Here in my mind, let the high heavens snow
To quench this fire and ease my heart's woe.
"A Miracle!" cries Lynn, till my heart's tears flow.

Out of my gender, out of my class and out of my mind,
Out of my body and leaving the age I was born to behind,
Where priests hurry Mass, to get back to their lusts, pies, slanders and beer:
Fruit gorged by a bear and discharged from its rear.

Now I'm old and wounded, the Lord God tells me
Here in my mind, You must go to Danzig.
I excuse you, escort you and lead you, for I
Am above your confessor, although he bans it.

Who shall be against you, the Lord God tells me
Here in my mind, then a friar says it too.
In storm and war, through slander and curse
Who shall be against, if I am with you?

Out of my gender, out of my class and out of my mind,
Out of my time and leaving the life I was born to behind,
Where priests hurry Mass, to get back to their lusts, pies, slanders and beer
And my woman's words must be wasted in tears.

Originally composed with Vanessa for the Songs from Skirting Heresy album (and the soundtrack for the play of that name performed in Sept 2018 at Margery's church, Lynn Minster) and performed by we three as part of the Penland Phezants.

From the Book of Margery Kempe:

After this she went homewards again, until she came to West Lynn. When she was there, she sent into Bishop's Lynn for her husband, for Master Robert (Springolde) her confessor, and for Master Aleyn, a doctor of divinity, and told them in part of her tribulations. And afterwards she told them that she wold not come home to ~Bishop's Lynn until such time as she had been to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his letter and his seal.
"For when I was before the Archbishop of York," she said, he wold give no credence to my words, inasmuch as I didn't have my Lord of Canterbury's letter and seal. And so I promised him that I would not come to Bishop's Lynn until I had my Lord of Canterbury's letter and seal."
And so she took her leave of the said clerks, asking their blessing, and went on with her husband to London. When she got there, she was soon successful over her letter from the Achbishop of Canterbury. And so she stayed in the City of London a long time, and was very well received by many worthy men.
Afterwards, she was going towards Ely on her way home to Lynn, and she was three miles from Ely, when a man came riding after them at great speed, and crested her husband and her also, intending to take them both to prison. He cruelly rebuked them and utterly reviled them, repeating many reporting word. And at last she asked her husband to show him my Lord of Canterbury's letter. When the man had read the letter he spoke handsomely and kindly to them, saying, "Why didn't you show me your letter before?"
And so they parted from him, and then came to Ely, and from there home to Lynn, where she suffered much humiliation, much reproof, many a scorn, many a slander and many a curse.
And on one occasion a reckless man, caring little for his own shame, deliberately and on purpose threw a bowlful of water on her head as she was coming along the street. She, not at all disturbed bu it, said, "God make you a good man", highly thanking God for it, as she did if many other things at different times.

From Book 1. Chapter 55.

St Margaret's Is Burning (with Vanessa Wood-Davies)

A marriage (and we are actually married, 45 years so far) of melody and rhythm. We do folk, indie, Americana, Norfolk noir, beat poems &  ghazals. Traditional tunes with contemporary beats. Music videos  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8wV0-DNiFs1R5G2VSytBQ
Maz lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar. Gaz vocals, voice, bass, drums & percussion, harmonium, recorders, lyre harp, field recordings.

St Margaret's Is Burning (with Vanessa Wood-Davies)

Peacock's Tale Musical Storytelling