At St Mary’s Aberfoyle, again
October 5 2008….Sung Evensong
Aberfoyle is often rightly called the Gateway to the Highlands and is visited by probably tens of thousands of people every year. Unfortunately many simply go to the shops and the ubiquitous Edinburgh Woolen Mill (whose Head Office is in the Borders!). Many others go to the David Marshall Lodge for the stunning views.
And yet one of the things which draws me back, is the lovely little St Mary’s Church sitting proudly on the shoulder of the village just as you enter it……a haven of tranquility. Although it bears the same name as our Cathedral in Glasgow it is totally different, and is ideal for the service of Sung Evensong. (If you don’t know much about this Service, click on the link ‘Evensong….the story’ under Categories.)
This is the second time we have been involved in Evensong here….last time we had a retired Bishop preaching, this time the local Church of Scotland Minister, Rev Linda Stewart took the Pulpit, with a contemplative sermon on the Marriage at Cana.
It boasts a wonderful Willis organ, played by Jean……who is a very self-effacing but most competent and sympathetic accompanist. The Church is about to have major structural work carried-out, so we were pleased to be able to come on a beautiful star-lit evening to join with the faithful in the delightful words we have heard so many times before, but which still have so much meaning.
Introit:- ’A Touching Place’ to the tune ‘Dream Angus’ (see the end of this post, for the original words of Dream Angus (a Scottish Lullaby)
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear.
A’ the wee bairns are sleepin’
Birdies are nestling, an’ nestling’ the gither
But my bonnie bairn is waken yet
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
An’ the echoes dyin’ o
Even the birdies are cuddled up sleepin
But my bonnie bairn is weepin’ greetin’
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Welcoming the coming dawn
Lambies coorie doon the gither
Wi’ the yowies in the heathe
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear.
Aberfoyle..the Church on the Hill
Sept….2007
St Mary’s, Aberfoyle……………Sung Evensong
Vesper Hymn…..God that Madest
The view of the Church from the road
Jean at the marvellous Willis organ
