Cathedral to play Lennon's 'Imagine' in special tribute

May 8, 12:38 PMBeatles ExaminerSteve Marinucci

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  Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)

The bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral will ring out with the melody of John Lennon's "Imagine" on May 16.

The lyrics to the song begin "Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you tried, no hell below us, above us only sky." Despite the fact the lyrics have been interpreted by some as anti-religious, the cathedral still plans to do the event.

"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," a spokesman told the BBC.

What people who focus on the lyrics at the beginning of the song don't realize, though, is that the "Imagine" lyrics also include a more decidedly spiritual sentiment later that is more to the point of the song:

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

The cathedral has announced that artist Cleo Evans will produce the performance using local bell ringers in what they describe as "a premiere recital and reinterpretation of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’."

Yoko Ono told the BBC the idea was "so beautiful, it made me choke up."

In addition, the cathedral has a contest for 13-25 year olds based around the song. Entrants are asked to come up with something creative based on the song's lyrics, including, but not limited to, an essay, a song of their own, a comedy sketch or a dance. 

Winners will be chosen to perform at the Cathedral on July 7. A leaflet for the competition and an entry form are available on the church's website.

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