Hymns Modern & Ancient

207: Lay the altar

Tune: 8.7.8.7.D  Lux Eoi

 

©Pharisaios  Publications 2004

 

Lay the altar, wipe the silver,

Fetch the bread, uncork the wine,

Fold the linen o'er the chalice,

Put the candlesticks in line;

Place the book and mark the pages

For the priestly eyes to see,

Straighten carpet, dust the hassocks,

So that he can bend the knee.

 

At this hour the choir assembles

Holy Mysteries to sing,

Organist and deacon rob-ed,

Tower bells begin to ring.

Far aloft in ancient rafters

Bats disturbed begin to fly,

Warden, looking upwards, gazing,

Gets some droppings in his eye.

 

Swing the censer!  Get some rhythm,

Hit the boat-boy if you dare;

Raise the smoking pot above you,

Fan the fumes so all may share

In the cloud of scented vapour,

That denotes our Lord is here,

Spoon the grains on glowing charcoal,

'til the air's no longer clear.

 

Christ is risen, Alleluia!

Easter praises still ring out!

He is risen, Alleluia!

All the faithful people shout;

Thus proclaiming basic tenets

Of the faith we live and breathe,

Making false the '60's dogma

"God is dead" "I can't believe."