Prologue
Sheila Hancock Lyrics


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Blessed father
Our convent is in need
The church is falling apart
Our sisters are few
And parisheners no longer come
Without you infernite mercy
We shall soon be forced to close our doors




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sheila Hancock's song Prologue are filled with a deep sense of desperation and hopelessness. As the singer addresses the "blessed father," it becomes clear that their convent is in dire straits. The whole church is falling apart, there are very few nuns left, and the congregation has dwindled down to almost nothing. The singer states that without the "infinite mercy" of the Father, the convent will soon have no choice but to close its doors.


The mood of the song is bleak and there is a palpable sense of loss and sadness present throughout. The haunting melody and the plaintive tone of the singer's voice only add to the overall feeling of despair. The lyrics speak to the struggle and hardship faced by many religious institutions in the modern era and the feeling that even the strength of faith and tradition may not be enough to withstand the pressures of modern life.


Line by Line Meaning

Blessed father
Dear religious leader


Our convent is in need
Our community needs some attention


The church is falling apart
Our worship place is in a state of disrepair


Our sisters are few
Our nuns are becoming scarce


And parishioners no longer come
There are barely any devout followers


Without your infinite mercy
If we do not gain your compassion


We shall soon be forced to close our doors
We will be compelled to shut down our institution




Writer(s): R. Rodgers, O. Hammerstein ii

Contributed by Lucy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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