NOVEMBER NIGHT
(Sir John Benjeman-Mike Read)

Across the wet November night
The church is bright with candles light
And waiting Evensong
And waiting Evensong

A single bell with plaintive strokes 
Pleads louder than the stirring oaks 
The leafless lanes along
The leafless lanes along

It calls the choirboys from their tea 
And villagers, the two or three 
Damp down the kitchen fire
Damp down the kitchen fire

Let out the cat, and up the lane 
Go paddling through the gentle rain 
Of misty Oxfordshire
Of misty Oxfordshire 

On country morning sharp and clear 
The penitent in faith draws near 
And kneeling here below, kneeling here below

Partake the heavenly banquet spread 
Of sacramental Wine and Bread 
And Jesus’ presence know
And Jesus’ presence know

And must that plaintive bell in vain 
Plead loud along the dripping lane? 
And must the building fall? 
And must the building fall?

Not while we love the church and live 
And of our charity will give 
Our much, our more, our all
Our much, our more, our all

Not while we love the church and live 
And of our charity will give 
Our much, our more, our all
Our much, our more, our all

Across the wet November night
The church is bright with candles light
And waiting Evensong
And waiting Evensong

A single bell with plaintive strokes 
Pleads louder than the stirring oaks 
The leafless lanes along
The leafless lanes along