The Old Countrywoman

[choux]

I found this in my local parish magazine, uncredited:

The Old Countrywoman

I've been coming here on Sundays for seventy year or so.
Twas here that I was christened and here I'll want to go.
Now I know you all get vexed about changes in belief.
Well frills on top don't matter if you're comfy underneath.
I never lets it bother me if I'm High or Low or what.
While I've got me Ten Commandments I shan't go wrong a lot.
Now I likes the old fashioned prayer book, and they like ASB
And they can have what pleases them and I'll read what suits me.
And half the hymns we sing these days I never heard before,
But I can stand and listen and perhaps I'll learn some more.
And all these guitars and instruments - it's no more than they had
Afore they put the organ in, when my Grandad were a lad.
And I don't suppose God'll worry - he won't make a fuss
As long as all the singings meant for Him and not for us.
We've had clergy coming straight from college, full of summat new,
From incense on the altar to posters in the pew.
And I let 'em all get on with it, 'cos all these fashions pass,
And you'll still do the flowers, my dears, and I'll still clean the brass.
I got this seat I always have, no draughts and nice and near,
So I can hear the organ and see the vicar clear.
And I tells God what's been happening and what a week I've had,
And I thanks Him for the good times and He helps me through the bad.
'Cos all that really matters as far as I can see
Is that I, down here, remembers Him and He remembers me.

[woofgang]

Plain common sense :)

[marval]

Thank you Choux, I like that.

[Mamyalynne]

You can't say fairer than that, wise lady.

Thanks.

[albaqwerty]

I really liked reading that, thank you Choux

[Theland]

Nice that Choux.

[Ken4155]

Has a hint of Pam Ayres about it, don't you think?

[Mamyalynne]

It does Ken, another lovely lady who rolls with the changing times and weaves words beautifully.

[Ken4155]

Isn't her though, mamy, just Googled:-(

[Mamyalynne]

No, but I like it.

[tonyav]

I like it to ( does have a Pam Ayres ring to it though ).

[EDDIE51]

Good one !!

[Buenchico]

Written by Barbara Robinson, first published in St.Nicholas' Church Chronicle, Kenilworth around the turn of the century and then subsequently re-published in many church journals over the past couple of decades.

[waterboatman]

I enjoyed reading it, I don't care who wrote it or when.

[waterboatman]

But thanks for the info Chris. :o}

[Ken4155]

^
You're right, WBM, it is an enjoyable read. However the source of the poem matters to me because i wanted to see if any more of the author's work was available. Thanks to Chris, i now have a name to work with. Ta, Chris. :-)

[choux]

Theland, when Isaw this I really thought of you. So glad you liked it.

[Theland]

After two house moves, my book of Common Prayer is mislaid.
Some lovely prayers in it, so traditional.