Cherry ripe, cherry ripe
Ripe I cry
Full and fair ones
Come and buy
Cherry ripe, cherry ripe
Ripe I cry
Full and fair ones
Come and buy.[i] - Robert Herrick
Alfred could hear Mother
warbling in the kitchen, “Cherry ripe, cherry ripe;” an old English song sung
to a melody composed by the 19th century composer Charles E.
Horne. In her day Mother had a fine
mezzo soprano voice, but now in her seniority her voice was deeper, but perhaps
that was just because it was long since she had done much singing.
“Well,
well, well,” said Alfred to himself, “I wonder what’s up? It’s been ages since I’ve heard Mother sing,
and I must say it is very pleasant to hear.”
Mother
came bustling into the solarium wheeling the Paalman Tea Cart laden with her
Royal Doulton Tea Set, some McVitie’s Digestive Biscuits, and a cheery china
cherry bowl filled to the brim with bright red Regina cherries.
“I’ve
been thinking, Alfred,” said she, “That it is just going to be wonderful to have
the Choir over for an old fashioned hymn sing in mid-October. Not only is our Choirmaster William Weaver
going to be in attendance, but Father Goodfellow is coming and he’s bringing
his wife Cecelia.”
“That is
good news, Mother,” said Alfred. “I couldn’t
help but overhear you singing Cherry Ripe in the kitchen. Have you given any thought to joining the
choir?”
“Well,
Alfred, I had, but you know when I was young I sang Soprano, although I was a
little more comfortable in the Mezzo Soprano role, however I’m not sure that I
would enjoy singing Alto at this stage in my life. After all the Choir doesn’t need another Ima
Hatchett competing with the sopranos and I think the choir is probably better
off without me.”
“Are you
sure you wouldn’t consider it Mother?” asked Alfred.
“Alfred,
quite sure, but I do have something else in mind. Grace Whittington has just joined the Altar
Guild, and she says they are looking for another person. I’ve never done anything quite like that
before, although I did take a course in floral design years ago.”
“The
Altar Guild, Mother? I say,” said Alfred, “that’s quite a step Mother. What is involved?”
“Grace
tells me that the Altar Guild is divided into four teams, one team for each
Sunday, That means we would serve once a month.
We would set up the Altar before the service, and take care of
everything after the service is over.
Grace and I would be on the same team.
There is an Altar Guild training day on October 19th. There is even an Altar Guild Prayer. I tucked it away in my Prayer Book.”
Mother
hurried out of the room and returned a minute later, and said, “Alfred, listen
to this,
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst
accept the ministry of faithful women during your earthly life; We pray you to
accept and bless the work that this altar guild undertakes in the care of your
sanctuary. Grant us a spirit of reverence for your house and worship, your Word
and Sacraments, and preserve in purity and holiness our own souls and bodies as
living temples of Your presence. Amen.”
“That
sounds wonderful Mother,” said Alfred looking somewhat mystified, but silently
he said to himself, “I wonder what’s going on with Mother?”
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