Sunday 3 August 2008

A little latin...

I must say, first of all, how much I am enjoying blogging. In fact, if I am honest, I'm bound to say I end up spending an inordinate amount of time on it; too much time, in fact. But what the hell? I've no more pupils than I had before, it's not the season for solo singing engagements and the cathedral choir will not employ my energies until September, and then but once each day and thrice on Sundays. And Mr Asda seems oblivious to my qualities as temporary shelf-stacker. But no matter. Over the last few weeks it has become clear to me that there has been some slight misunderstanding over the precise nature of my employment here in the Cathedral. Fear not, good people; I am not a 'vicar' in the sense you understand. You may swear if you wish in my presence, and discuss the finer points of conjugal relations if you must. The term 'vicar' - as applied to either laymen like myself or clerks in holy orders - derives from the Latin 'vicarius', meaning 'stand-in'. Yes, dear reader, your local vicar is indeed a stand-in, most probably for the long departed Abbot of a dissoluted monastery. And I am thus a stand in for a stand in. Lord knows, the standards of musicianship amongst the clergy somewhat variable; some of them even admire the works of Graham Kendrick, for God's sake! So the Church, in it's wisdom, employs myself and others like me to do the job (that is, the singing) which would otherwise be done by real priests - or 'vicars' as most people call them. But as we know they're all too busy falling out about homosexuality and women bishops. I hope that clears things up. Tally-ho!

10 comments:

Kevin Musgrove said...

Just so long as you're careful as to what it is you're standing in.

Working Mum said...

Yep, blogging can take over a bit if you're not careful. My PIPEX bill keeps increasing!

So Cathedrals employ musicians? I never knew that. Learn something new every day!

George Tarasuk said...

Thanks for the info. I was curious about your vicarious title.

Eddie 2-Sox said...

One of our local vicars - Father Paul - was due in to our charity the other week, but had to cancel as he'd been summoned to Lambeth. I think the anti-chick brigade were cracking the whip and ensuring their organisation remained in the dark ages, but I don't know for sure.

Incidentally CB1, I quite fancy the life of a vicar, do you "have" to believe in god though?

Tim Atkinson said...

Not at all, dear boy - remember the Bishopof Durham?

ChickPea said...

Daft Mr Asda is missing a GREAT opportunity - just think, the crowds would flock in to hear the all-singing all-dancing blogger stacking shelves in his wellies (so's you Can Stand In Anything)....... tho I'm not sure about the dancin'...... ?

Tho we'd be very sad if we got any less of you 'cos of Mr Asda........

William Molloy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deeoshaythree said...

Graham Kendrick! What utter rubbish.

Deeoshaythree said...

Which reminds me also. I recently overheard two people having an amusing conversation.

"I'm a lay vicar at the cathedral."

"You're a vicar...?"

"Yes, a lay vicar."

"So, does that mean you get to say mass?"

Lavinia said...

Slightly confusing, but still amusing. I get the sense your full potential is not appreciated...sigh....an all too common occurrence, alas, for so many of us...