The Vicar's Life

Through the portal and down the Nave,

he march’d with Holy Writ in hand,

to kneel and pray

at break of day

and lean upon the reading stand.

Of first order is morning prayer

so on is thrown a surplice.

Then follow he

with the Litany

and say the Lord’s Prayer twice.

Then the rite all love the best

to say, Holy Communion.

The words of Christ

they’ve now prayed thrice

with Christendom in union.

Into the vestry and off is put

And hung upon the door;

the surplice there.

Now gown to wear

to go into the church once more.

Now to expound the words of Christ

for all who stay’d to hear it

that all who hear

should come draw near

to take up the cross and bear it.

A sermon preached like none other wrote

or ever read before.

Take off the gown

and throw it down

to don the surplice from the door.

“Draw near with faith,” he tells them all

to make contrite confession

and hope and pray

what he had to say

was not lost in the lesson.

Then to the Table of the Lord,

by the north most side to stand,

to pray the line,

of words divine

while taking loaf and cup in hand.

They pray again, this comes to four,

“Our Father which art in heav’n”

All did meet

His meal to eat

and all before eleven!

The Curate’s work is never done.

He’s earned a drink of liquor!

So on Sunday

please take time to say,

“Dear Lord God, bless the Vicar!”