The Organist's Speech

Yes, the Greek parish here has an organ up in the choir loft, in the rear of the nave. The original organ, installed above the protests of many in the parish, caught fire. When the new was installed back in the 'Sixties and the inaugural recital was played, pulling out all the stops including the diapaisons, it blasted out the church windows.

The organist, a Protestant lady who has played our organ since 1966, has just retired. Today, after church, the parish council gave her a plaque and a gift and invited her to speak to the congregation. She did, speaking slowly, her face absolutely deadpan. Here, in its entirety, is what she said:

"I've just realized that today is the first time I've ever sat downstairs. And it's nice to see your faces, after 42 years of looking at the backs of your heads."