The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead

Vicar            You came, Father Jim, to this parish church
Where you could serve your title
But now, Father Jim, it’s time to move on
I’ve taught you all that’s vital

Curate            That’s vital

Vicar            You were sixteen going on seventeen
Fresh out of Academy
Now you’ve been here for nigh on three year
Your progress is plain to see

Curate            I needed someone older and wiser
Someone to set me straight
I’ve learnt from you all a priest should do
This curacy’s just been great

Totally unprepared was I
To face the parish scene
Timid and shy and scared was I
To join the Hampstead team

Vicar            Now you are the LSE chaplain
Students look up to you
They’re only seventeen going on eighteen
But still they look older that you!

Curate            I was sixteen going on seventeen
I know that I was naive
Cambridge dogmatics, pure systematic
Aren’t what we all believe

I was sixteen going on seventeen
Innocent as a rose
North London dandies, drinkers of brandies
What would I know of those?
Vicar            Totally unprepared were you
To face the C of E
Timid and shy and scared were you
At every PCC

Both            Now you are/I am the LSE chaplain
Students look up to you/me
They’re only seventeen going on eighteen
But still they look older than you/me!