There on the shelf lies the leather bound hymn book,
Once taken to chapel on each Sunday morn,
For so many years it had served a great purpose
But now it lies faded, so battered and worn.
The pages been turned many times many searches,
For dog-eared and creased by those kind Christian hands,
Whose voices sang out in the praise of our Saviour,
And rang through the hills of these once sacred lands.
Yet now almost silent as churches lie empty,
Demolished, converted or left boarded up,
And hiding the stained-glass that once let in sunlight,
Who now to taste the sweet wine from the cup?
When this hymn book was new I know things were so different,
I wish we'd return to those times long before,
As cast now aside on that dusty old bookcase,
Once valued and cherished but not anymore.
I look at the words written down through the ages,
They still carry meaning from which we should learn,
And each seems to stir a deep passion within me,
I long for the day that my Lord shall return.
For dog-eared and creased by those kind Christian hands, Whose voices sang out in the praise of our Saviour, And rang through the hills of these once sacred lands. ...................................................................................I wish we'd return to those times long before, .................................................................................... Andrew, You write remarkably, and your nostalgia is absolutely fairly too... All best, Tsira
A beautiful tribute to your faith Andrew, lovely images and master penmanship. Kind regards Ann
'And each seems to stir a deep passion within me, I long for the day that my Lord shall return' we alll long for such a day indeed...thanks see you.
So much to read into this Andy, the hymn book, held by so many hands, people singing hymns and praising the Lord, well penned as always, 10 Lynda xx
AS a rule, I dont really enjoy spirtual poetry, no reason, just really never could say I liked them, however you have given this so much personality, and PLACE in the heart of so many individuals who at one time as you state, did go by the book of the lord, and did carry it through to each generation before them... This was very simple, very straight forward, and yet, so very meanifull.........
Beautiful one, and a beautiful read. I loved it. Such a simple thing can give such a great storyline. Everything tells a story. Excellent. Love and hugs Ernestine XXX
Nostalgia... But so much more. The reader feels the intensity of your regret, Andrew and understands the longing in your heart for life as it used to be. A beautifully written lament for the security and stability of the church and the congregation that flourished under its pastoral care. love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Andrew, it is all so true unfortunately. 'Whose voices sang through th eyes of our Savior and rang through the hills of these once sacred lands'. These to lines for me are so vivid. It is those voices ringing that resonates such sadness within me and will stay with me for some time. Your poetry as usual is outstanding. 10 Karin Anderson
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
GOD, will bring people back. Though the flood of NOAH and Sodom & Gomorrah tells of what GODS wrath can produce. Read the Bible and pray - FAITH.