A scullery maid died in 1939 aged just 44. She lived and worked in Liverpool. Her name was Eleanor Rigby. Owing to the work of Paul McCartney her name became known all over the world as ‘Eleanor Rigby’ became one of the ‘Beatles’ most celebrated songs. It was part of a double A-side single, it featured on the albums ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Revolver’. This record was nominated for three Grammys, was number 11 in the United States Charts and spent four weeks at number one in the UK.
A song about a scullery maid. A song about a person. A song about a forgotten person. A song about a lonely person. And there it is - a lonely person. This song has frequently been described as ‘a lament for the lonely’. It tells the tale of a woman ‘who died in the church and was buried along with her name’. It is in the chorus that we are confronted with questions and a challenge.
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
I was at the university last week as the freshers arrived. I saw great crowds of people milling about. Some confident. Many happy. Some apprehensive. A lot who seemed lonely. So think again about the chorus … It is not unusual to feel lonely in the midst of big changes in life - and going to university is a big change. Where we come from matters. It is our identity. To an extent it is our security.
BUT
Lonely students … where do they belong? They belong here at the University of Bath. They belong in the Students Union. They belong in lectures and seminars. They belong in flat and residence. They belong at the Chaplaincy. They belong to one another …
For most the experience of loneliness passes as integration into university life progresses … but not for everyone. And if you remain lonely - and you feel lost or isolated - you are not odd - there are others just like you. It takes time … but help is at hand, come to the Chaplaincy and you will be accepted, listened to and supported for as long as it takes until you can say ‘I belong’.
Helen Pattie
Respond
