A Country Churchyard

Today was another scorching day, my it system was down all day and I took a half day to help the twins with a little endeavour so at least on that front things were productive.

I have passed this structure and wondered over the years what it was, I knew it was in an old grave yard so tonight with the sun still high and a warming breeze I set of to see what I could find out. I met an old Gentleman, he looked like a farmer, an old countryman and I asked what he could tell me, I explained about my Journal and about trying to capture local people and places. He was like a local almanac telling me that Lochwinnoch grew from a church established here by the monks of Paisley Abbey in the 11th century. A new church was built on the site of the original one in 17oo's. There are graves dating back to the 16th century. When the church was to be demolished, local weavers insisted the front gable of St. Winnoc's church, known as 'Auld Simon', be preserved.

I wandered round this strange truncated structure I couldnt help but notice the surrounding graves in the long meadow like grass and it reminded me of another old Chris De Burgh song and it seemed apt to add this to the lyrical series that has appeared sporadically in the past week or so... The second verse particularly poignant it seemed.

In a country churchyard there's a preacher with his people,
Gathered all around to join a man and woman,
Spring is here and turtledoves are singing from the steeple,
Bees are in the flowers, growing in the graveyard,
And over the hill, where the river meets the mill,
A lovely girl is coming down,
To give her hand upon her wedding day

Dressed in simple white and wearing flowers in her hair,
Music as she walks slowly to the altar,
And picking up his bible then the preacher turns towards her,
"Will you take this man to be your wedded husband,
To honor and love in the eyes of God above,
Now let the people sing with me,
These words to live forever in your heart
Let your love shine on,
For we are the stars in the sky,
Let your love shine strong,
Until the day you fly away"

Many years have fallen on that golden country morning,
The graveyard's overgrown, the church lies in ruins,
Ivy on the walls and ravens wheeling round above me,
As I made my way towards the last remaining headstone,
I fell to my knees, read the lines beneath the leaves,
And suddenly it seemed to me,
I heard the words like singing in the trees

Let your love shine on,
For we are the stars in the sky,
Let your love shine strong,
Until the day you fly
Let your love shine on,
For we are the stars in the sky,
Let your love shine strong,
Until the day you fly away

I hope you enjoy the shot, and hope you can see the beauty of the former glory of this hallowed place in your minds eye, best viewed on large for sure!