Query re: Funeral Poem

I’ve just read it - the Minister is wrong as you say. It’s clear from the very beginning that it’s a ship that is being used allegorically

I would agree with you. That's how the poem was written and you're right ships are usually referred to as 'she'.
Perhaps the Minister hasn't really read it?
Maybe he just thinks it should be changed to he because its being recited at a mans funeral?

Given the circumstances, I would agree with changing the gender to "he".

The poem that was read at the late Queen Mother's funeral was changed to "she".

The important thing is that the listeners can identify with it, so for a mans funeral "he" would be more in keeping.

Bugger the supposed gender of ships, the poem is, as maryeliza54 says, allegorical.

I agree with MaryEliza. It's allegorical.
It would be wrong to change it to he.
It wouldn't even sound right.
It's a beautiful poem.

This beautiful poem was read at my Dad's funeral. I'm sure we left the pronoun as "she" since it refers to the ship, not a person.

I’m sorry but to change it to “he” just doesn’t work. He is never used for a ship so “he is just as large” sounds really odd.

If it has to be changed even “it” would be better than “he”.

I wouldn’t argue though. Just stand up and read it as it is written. What’s the minister going to do at that point anyway?

Eglantine is right. It's not up to the minister. And it shouldn't be changed.

The poem should be written as the author intended. It is not the Minister's function to change what someone else has written.
I have noticed a tendency in some clergy to alter some phrases in hymns because they consider them inappropriate for modern beliefs.
I expressed the belief following the Remembrance day service, when parts of well-known hymns had been rewritten, that you do nor rewrite poetry because you dislike the sentiments expressed, but apparently now some clergy feel that they have the right so to do.

I’ve just read it. It would make no sense to alter the gender and would come across as confusing. I suspect the minister didn’t read it through.

Just realised which poem it is, and have changed my mind! Should definitely remain as "she".

What a truly silly minister! - "she" refers to the ship, not the person.

Oh that is such a beautiful poem!

Definitely leave the "she". Whether the minister can get her head round it or not.

The last line - "And that is dying." Says it all. It is about neither a person or a ship.

I've just read it agree with everyone that 'she' must remain. It's nothing to do with the gender of the person being mourned but about death itself. You would have thought anyone with a religious faith would have recognised that.

Thank you so much for responding to my post, much appreciated.
I have asked the Minister to deliver the poem as the author intended and he is happy to do so. I must admit to being very surprised that he wanted to alter it. This poem and was read out at my Nan’s funeral 20 years ago so we wanted it for her son on Friday.
Thanks again everyone.

I've passed that beautiful poem on to a friend of mine whose mother is in her last days. She was so moved by it and it gave her a lot of comfort. So thank you for this thread x

Yes thank you. It's a lovely poem.

Don’t get me started on the way the words have changed in some hymns. They’ve lost all their lovely poetry and sometimes don’t even mean what the author intended.

what a beautiful poem - I've just looked it up. So glad to hear the Minister has agreed the poem must be read out as it was written. Hope the funeral goes well

I've just read the poem, and I'm glad that the Minister has now agreed to read it as it is written. A beautiful poem, and the meaning is clear.

I recall that a hymn 'He who would valiant be ' had been requested by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, future events planned in advance, that was to be sung at her funeral.
The funeral service was televised and I cannot recall hearing the words 'He who would' replaced by 'She.'
Somehow I do not believe the 'iron lady' ! would have approved any changes regardless of her being the first lady in UK history to become prime minister.

Would agree with you. With the recent furore in the media though about ships being referred to as 'she' perhaps the PC reference should be 'it'.

Mapleleaf That the minister was prepared to change, he to she, is a reflection on the age we live. Many of these poems go back years and unless cause offence which we would not chose to have read in the first place then why not leave well alone.?

Couldn't someone in the family, or a friend read it instead of the Minister? My brother-in-law recited it at his wife's funeral recently Always more personal that way x