Hymns Modern & Ancient

30: This time of year

(Tune: Bristol C.M. by T. Ravenscroft, "Psalms" 1621)

 

©Pharisaios 2001 This time of year the Church is dressed
In royal colours all,
With frontals mauve or Sarum Blue,
And matching stole and fall.

The Advent crown is dusted down
And given pride of place.
Three candles red (*) and one of pink
To praise Our Lady's grace.

The Rector starts to fret and moan,
Faced with the tasks to come.
A stream of sermons on one theme,
And shopping not yet done.

The choir are grumbling every week
At working hard and long
To get the anthems right, and then
To learn a modern song.

Just four short weeks 'till Christmas comes,
And Midnight Mass is done.
Then clergy up and down the land,
Will rest and have some fun!

(*) In churches where Sarum colours are used during Advent these candles may be blue.