Onward Christian Soldier

by Edward Keyes

Saturday matinee of The Gondoliers.
Colourful, sparkling music
  clothing ridiculous plot
elevates it to enduring entertainment.

Next day I leaf through outdated hymnal
  dustbin of desiccated tunes
  long-lodged in the choir stalls.
Surprise! Twenty or more ascribed to Sullivan
mostly stodgy, lifeless, unmemorable,
strike but few sparks.

  This lesser legacy
  tailored to the times
Cohabiting with Stainer, Barnby, Gauntlett
Best left to rot. Sullivan soldiers onward
  (Master of melody,
  martial or maidenly
  graceful or garrulous)
Praising the Lord of laughter and lightness
in perennial popularity of the Savoy operas.