Chorus Line

Happy clappy choruses to Edwin were a pain,

Their snappy happy rhythms all but drove the man insane.

‘Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom’ was on his mind

As they clapped away in front of him, beside him and behind.

No doubt the vicar soon would introduce some tambourines

In a new misguided effort to attract the trendy teens.

‘Lead kindly Light, Lead kindly Light’ he’d quietly repeat

Knowing none would hear him as they clapped and tapped their feet.

But what annoyed him most was when the vicar cried, ‘Sing out!’

Which had the dire effect of making everybody shout.

‘Oh dear! Oh dear!’ sighed Edwin, trying hard to block his ears,

‘Where are those four-part harmonies we sang in former years?

What happened to the choirs in the shires that we knew

Where they sang the good Old Hundredth? And they sang it sweetly too.

What happened to the introits and the anthems, sung with grace,

Till happy clappy choruses jumped in and took their place?’

So don’t imagine choruses will make the whole church happy,

Edwin’s not. He’s now become a very snappy chappie.