The Poems of William Chives

Of those my friend, I fain would write,

But I would make it clear,

That all thou e'er would wish to know,

One ne'er could enter here.

A recent Priest did write a book,

With history complete,

Of those as well as other things

Which was both cheap and neat.

There still are quite a few about,

Though out of circulation,

Folks might be glad to favour show,

Upon one's application.

Thou sayest thou long to read from one,

As folks in other days hath done;

Well here's the title of that book,

To help assist you on the look,

"The Church and Parish of Chiddingly".

The price thereon is nothing high.

None e'er could claim it as immense,

The actual cost being three pence.

The writer being known to me,

His name The Reverend T.V. Southey.

(June 6th, 1906)

My! thou hath spent a lengthy time

While reading of that book,

But should thou be of music keen,

At the organ we will look.

But, before we view the present one, I'd like to quote the old

I know not the year it came or went, But 'twas at one time told -

How it did come from Tunbridge Wells, In the joining County, Kent,

And on fixing it in belfry there a mighty sum was spent.

I did blow it on each Sabbath day, for years in number six

I soon got quite attached to it, and found it played some tricks.

For with the bellows but half full, it would begin to leak,

Which caused a funny noise inside which ended in a squeak.

But it sympathised with all my moods, and seemed to know my longing,

Should I be sad it lifted me, from this earth with worries thronging.

The Chancel window bare and stark,

Has on each side a faded mark;

That's where Commandments hung of old,

In letters good of red and gold.

I wonder oft how men did dare,

Or even if they stopped to care;

I feel they did true reverence lack,

Had I the power, I'd put them back.

But now they hang on belfry wall,

Out of sight, unseen by all;

Gift and talent spent for naught,

The likes of which are often sought,

With damp and fungoid all around,

They'd better far be underground,

If that be all they're worth.

A new command Christ gave we know,

But never said, the old should go;

Forgive me, should one seem severe,

But, such works as these oft cost men dear,

I doubt the donor would approve,-

Those ten Commandments men should move.

What thinkest thou?

Thou see'st the Organ yonder,

Neath arch by northern door;

If that should'st chance to interest thee,

Of that I'll tell thee more.

It was for sale in Eastbourne,

Maybe thou has't been told;

How one was badly needed,

To replace the one of old - (A faithful servant).

Squire's eldest son named Herbert,

He heard the news one day;

He to this church was much endeared

And offered straight away

To proceed down, to Eastbourne town,

And went without delay.

He always had an interest keen,

in organs when a boy.

On such, when he to manhood grew

his time would oft employ.

And as the flight of time went by,

With ambition he was fired;

So left his home and friends behind,

To find what he desired.

He found it in America,

And worked there forty years

In every branch of the organ trade

That he may have no fears.

He then set sail for home again, when having gained his aim,

For over there in USA, he's known for organ fame.

I now apologize my friend

for having gone astray,

but thought these notes might interest thee

Whilst looking round today.

So now we gather up the threads

And thus-wise will continue,

As one has mentioned once before

Forgiveness dwells within you.

You've read how he, to Eastbourne went,

There worked till late at night

With ardour, skill, and love combined

To get each part dismantled right

As was his sole intent.

Thus having that completed, the next thing was removal,

For this he had kind local help, which met with his approval.

He supervised the transport stage, with due care not to mix it,

This having done, the next point was, the best place for to fix it,

His major aim was chancel end, or as near as he could get it;

But should he fix that organ there, he found he would regret it.

He tried each spot available, to meet with his demands,

With that task done, he found t'was best where present organ stands.

Then, much time spent in fixing it, with heart and hands both willing,

He now would soon be playing it, his soul with rapture filling.

He had an ear for music keen, a point one knows is vital,

Then on the following Sabbath day, he gave the first recital, (29/5/09)

When many folks from far and near, with mind on hearing bent,

There helped to raise the sum required, on yonder organ spent. (£30)

Was't e'er thou in this church before my friend,

When the gallery spanned yon western end?

I own it made the church seem dark,

But in my memory leaves its mark.

It hid, I know, that noble arch,

Or the lower part at least,

But t'was a grand sight to behold,

On which oft hungry eyes would feast.

The best was on all Festal days,

When Evensong was in full swing,

With candles flecked, and flowers be-decked,

The choir would anthems sing.

Aye - the old organ stood on belfry floor,

In centre of that archway

With good wide door on either side, t

Te top half glass, through which would glide

The sun, when dipping westward.

There is one point more on gallery,

It's front was made with panels three,

In which my sire did make, and oft would fix,

Symbols, in all, he made e'en six.

But these, Faith, Hope, and Charity,

the sight of which is clear to me

Were well the favourites.

Ay - there's the Ringing Loft above, where many a Peals been rung

Old "Grandsire-doubles", minor too, Kent treble bob, and chiming true

By men now gone for aye.

There - many a Wedding Peal's rang forth, to tell of happy union,

While oft I've tolled old Tenor there, to call folks to Communion.

Yea many a time.

An ancient custom was observed when tolling funeral knell,

One stroke for man, for woman two, on self same bell, yon tenor true.

While for a child of tender age, which scarce could claim life's opening page,

'Twas one on treble bell.

Thou sayest thou would love to see those Bells,

Then come with me, my friend;

But for arduous task thou must prepare

If thou would'st climb that spiral winding stair.

Beware - those steps be worn quite hollow,

Take timely care, or death may follow.

On mounting slowly up that stair,

Thou wilt find small door on left up there.

In bygone years, folks oft would stop,

To view what once was workman's shop.

There - easier far to do repairs,

Than going down those many stairs.

But now the clockwork stands therein,

Away from dust, and mighty din

When bells above be ringing.

Go upward friend, steps three or four,

You find an opening minus door,

And should'st thou pass that opening through,

One finds the bells all clear to view.

Now, pause a while my gentle friend,

And think what joy these bells may send,

To those whose heart be well nigh breaking,

Through death and disappointment shaken.

Again - to those with life nigh done,

Like the ebbing tide, at the set of sun,

May many a scene of joy recall,

When ringing while the shadows fall.

(1) The Treble first within the door

was made in 1634. (by Miles Graye)

(2) Number two as viewed today,

Was recast by Thomas Janaway (1774)

(3) Number three was made by me,

See Roger Tapsell 1633.

(4) Thomas Giles made number four.

The County Town doth own some more.

(5) Re-cast was 5 by money given,

by Thomas Mears in 1811.

(6) Tom Janaway t'was that recast me

In the year, one, - seven, - and seventy-three. (1773)

Thou saith thou do'st attend this Church

Hath done for years no end;

"Well", - Be this a record written here

Can'st thou beat this my friend?

A parishoner old hath said to me,

I've lived here since a child of three

I doubt if anyone can beat, or

Even if they could compete for

having used one pew much more

In years, I've used mine seventy-four.

No name by request.