I had been accompanying contralto Eileen Wetherell for some years, during which time she was accepted for ordination training. Following the General Synod vote in November 1992 to accept women as priests in the Church of England, and after Eileen’s being made a Deacon, I composed this song in anticipation of her being ordained priest. On the occasion in 1994 when the first women were ordained, ten of whom were among my friends, I dedicated the song to them too.

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