‘Let out all the prisoners, ‘cause that’s a Jubilee’ sang The Stranglers in 1978 on ‘Do You Wanna?’. Never gave it much thought at the time, as it was possibly one of the weaker track on the superb Black And White album. Their best in my view, but other opinions are available.
These days, a quick search on the 'net and it turns out they had a point. The concept of a Jubilee is mentioned as far back as Jewish and Christian fables, apparently. Not sources I am particularly inclined to credit with much accuracy, but clearly the idea has been knocking around longer than the monarchy.
The idea of a Jubilee being a period of remission and forgiveness, occurring once every fifty years, when slaves would be freed, debts wiped clean and prisoners pardoned, is certainly a more interesting concept than Brian May playing his guitar on top of Buck House, or whatever nonsense is being planned this time.
So how about, for this Jubilee, making all the subjects of this country into citizens? Or wiping out international debt?
Thought not. Have a Bank Holiday, wave your plastic flags and be grateful to the ruling classes.
These days, a quick search on the 'net and it turns out they had a point. The concept of a Jubilee is mentioned as far back as Jewish and Christian fables, apparently. Not sources I am particularly inclined to credit with much accuracy, but clearly the idea has been knocking around longer than the monarchy.
The idea of a Jubilee being a period of remission and forgiveness, occurring once every fifty years, when slaves would be freed, debts wiped clean and prisoners pardoned, is certainly a more interesting concept than Brian May playing his guitar on top of Buck House, or whatever nonsense is being planned this time.
So how about, for this Jubilee, making all the subjects of this country into citizens? Or wiping out international debt?
Thought not. Have a Bank Holiday, wave your plastic flags and be grateful to the ruling classes.
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