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The Gent Psalm for Leonie


Dear Reader

Following are the words for the psalm, along with musical directions. 

[mf] Render to the Hempton you families and you choristers.
Render to Leonie your glory and might.
She is much to be feared as a conductor of the ungodly.
Her look is fierce * and yay * her bite is far worse than any of her barks.

Watch! * Her upbeat is mighty and her downbeat persuasive.
[p cresc] She looks quite small but her heritage is Italian. 
If she don’t smite you her Lofty husband will.
[p] He is tender * [f] but can squash you in a nanosecond. 

[mp] Likewise also reckon ye yourself to be smothered in love.
She has been more than a Mother to most of us. 
Locusts * drought * famine * pale by comparison.
After all she has survived Cathedral Staff-meetings for twenty four years. 

[mf] Deans and curates do not phase her.
Her death stares have quelled many an Archbishop’s unreasonable demands.
[p] Surplices * vomiting * parents * fainting * medals * rrruffs and Rrrutter * parents * camps * cathedrals * [sf] the Vatican * parents * [mf] Chorister for a day [p] days of Choristers * virgers * parents: 
[mf] These mean less than vipers unto her. 

[f] Sing lustily and with loving courage the song of swan to our Director of Music on this foreign shore. 
She is much beloved and will be sorely missed. 
She will never be forgotten and always welcome on our antipodean Petrine pews. 
[p, cresc] Just bring your own cushion * the Huntsman has usurped your comfortable cross-stitched throne. 

[mf] Glory be to Leonie and to her sons
And to her husband Keith:
As in the beginning sing we now * but it never shall be —> the same without you, Amen.

Thank you, Doll.

Here is my crumpled copy along with the chant in question. 



Cxx

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