Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun

From A E Housman's On Wenlock Edge, set by Ralph Vaughan Williams, "Clun" the last song, tucked away at the end when all the famous songs are over.  Some don't even notice ! But for me that is the beauty of the quiet, unassuming piece. It's not "about" phsical reality but something beyond this world.

Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun,

Are the quietest places Under the sun.

In valleys of springs of rivers, By Ony and Teme and Clun,

The country for easy livers, The quietest under the sun,

We still had sorrows to lighten, One could not be always glad,

And lads knew trouble at Knighton, When I was a Knighton lad.

By bridges that Thames runs under, In London, the town built ill,

'Tis sure small matter for wonder If sorrow is with one still.

And if as a lad grows older The troubles he bears are more,

He carries his griefs on a shoulder That handselled them long before.

Where shall one halt to deliver This luggage I'd lief set down?

Not Thames, not Teme is the river, Nor London nor Knighton the town:

'Tis a long way further than Knighton, A quieter place than Clun, 

Where doomsday may thunder and lighten And little 'twill matter to one.