This is a photo of myself, Esther, Bethany and Julia Holloway listening to a song about us at a gathering of friends after our final Sunday at the Mermaid Theatre. After more than 10 years at ChristChurch London, we’re joining Everyday Church, Wimbledon.
And we had a great send off at a farewell lunch, where we were sung us a hilarious song.
And so by popular request, here are those Holloway farewell song comedy lyrics in full . . . from our friend, the multi-talented Sam Breuning, who came over for dinner the night before with his wife Carola, and managed to not speak a word about his musical plans for the following day. Anyway here’s the lyrics, with apologies for in jokes for the un-initiated.
To the tune of ABBA’s “Thank You For the Music//The songs I’m singing//Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing”
“It’s been a decade since Adrian planted this church
With Stroudy and Rhys, he made sure he’d done his research
He moved from the midlands, to SW6
Right by Craven Cottage for his weekly fix
But the love of his life
Was to see that others find Christ
“So we say Thank You for the Holloways
We’re sad they’re leaving
Thanks for all their years believing
We will dearly miss them
Remembering the highs and lows
All those beige clothes!
Alpha and Beta and sideways hugs
So we say Thank You for the Holloways
For giving them to us
“Adrian travelled, led Alpha, he wrote and he taught
His preaching of Scripture provided us all food for thought
But we have a question, a question that’s rife
Is “Spesh” the best nickname you can find for your wife?
And if you lose weight
Your wardrobe, you ought to update!
“So we say Thank You for the Holloways
We’re sad they’re leaving
Thanks for all their years believing
We will dearly miss them
Remembering the peaks and troughs
All of those props!
Crosses, nails, and those diaries!
So we say Thank You for the Holloways
We’ll miss your expertise
“We’ll miss you Julia
With your kind and sage advice
We wish you love and joy and every blessing
What a girl, what a guy, what a pair!
“Thank you for the Holloways
We’re sad they’re going
And we pray they’ll keep on growing
We will dearly miss them
Remembering the tears and joys
4 girls, no boys!
Family Zafira, “house swap holidays”
So we say Thank You for the Holloways
God bless you all your days
So we say Thank You for the Holloways
God bless you all your days.”