East Barnet Processional Hymn

east barnet parish church

st mary the virgin

East Barnet Processional Hymn

The East Barnet Processional Hymn is sung at major festivals, with seasonal

verses added, depending on how far the procession needs to travel! In simple

couplets it tells the story of how St Mary's was founded.

On Advent Sunday, the evening Carol Service begins with the singing of the

hymn whilst the congregation process around the churchyard by candlelight.

In ages long hidden our ancestors bore

the gospel of Jesus to England’s fair shore:

Sing praise, sing praise, sing Alleluia!

Ave, ave, ave Maria!

The godly disciples of Benedict’s school

Established their lives on the saint’s holy rule:

In labour contented, in prayer undeterred

They listened with hope for the truth of God’s Word.

With love and compassion, they taught as they should

of Jesus, and Mary the mother of God:

Then to abbot Leofric, a good and just man,

the ‘unready’ Aethelred granted this land:

and into their keeping the monastery took

the woodland and pastureland bound by Pymmes Brook:

As grew the great Abbey to Alban’s renown,

A small simple chapel they then chose to found:

A place of deep silence, a place to be still

In honour of Mary, upon the Oak Hill:

All hail, gentle Mary, of all women blessed,

On whose heart the wonder of God’s favour rests:

All praise to the Father, all praise to the Son,

And praise to the Spirit, our God ever One: