> This poem was published in a book by Duncan McIntosh His grandmother was a Betsy Campbell from Kilninver /Kilmelford. I t may give some leads. As some will know Angel Hill was the old graveyard > > > > Angel Hill > > > > Green Angel Hill, of lovely pose, > Near where dark Euchar swiftly flows > Amongst Kilninver's bonnie knowes > Toward Loch Feochan's peaceful shores. > The glen sweet nature has adorned > With heath-clad dales and hazel groves, > I do not see the wide world o'er > A place my heart so much adores. > > There memory keeps one spot e'ergreen, > 'Tis deeply in my heart enshrined, > And yet it hath neglected been. > At night this haunts me in my dream, > Green Angel Hill, it gars me greet > Here, far away, and cannot keep > That hallowed place in order neat, > The mound 'neath which my father sleeps. > > Blest souls of dear departed friends > Have reached yon realms where joy ne'er ends; > But if at times they did return > 'Twould be enough to make them mourn > To see those places so forlorn > With weeds and nettles all o'er grown. > Green Angel Hill would them deplore > How different 'twas in days of yore. > > Green Angel Hill, the last, lang "Hame" > Of those dear hearts once kind and leal; > Tho' no great monument of fame > Mark out the plots where they were laid, > Within the walls, in kindred layer, > Our noble sires well worthy were > The highest tribute we could pay > When placing laurels on their grave. > > Befriending wealth was not attained > To cheer their hearts while here they stay'd, > So, when departing, could not share > Amongst their offsprings worldly gain; > But thus to us were their bequest, > Their fervent blessing with much zest > Throughout our lives, and then at last > On Angel Hill a place to rest. > > > > But since we cannot aye remain > At home to watch our forbear's graves, > This of old neighbours we would crave > To have these mounds kept free from maim. > Tho' strangers fill the wonted hearths > Of some who now up yonder rest, > We ask, with kindness in our breasts, > That they would Angel Hill respect. > > Would they but think of those dear hands > Which toiled from cradle to the grave, > True patriots to their native land, > How hard they wrought for its dear sake, > And laboured on till strength them failed, > Long past the evening of life's day; > Oh, how could they thus cease thy care, > Green Angel Hill, where these are laid? > > Would wealth when passing on us smile, > Or stay her course a little while > To give a helping hand betimes; > It would not need so great a pile, > Green Angel Hill, thy top to crown > With columns and crosses, cairns and urns, > High walls, neat walks, and choicest flowers, > Becoming consecrated grounds. > > 'Tis hallowed, consecrated ground, > Where angels guard each sacred mound, > Until at last the trumpet sound > Shall wake those slumbering from the tomb > To see their Lord appear on high, > And they to meet Him will arise > >From Angel Hill to gain the prize, > And share His glory in the skies. > > "My thoughts on reading in THE OBAN TIMES the paragraph re the decision > regarding our burial ground on Angel Hill, Kilninver, near Oban, Argyllshire." > S.S. "BUENOS AYREAN" > Philadelphia, U;S.A. > 7/8/04 > Duncan McIntosh, Steward > > As you can tell, Duncan was very religious. His father, John, although he > was a boot and shoemaker, was also a preacher of the Free Church. "During > the singing my mind wandered. Did not my own dear father, about that same > moment, lead perhaps the same Psalm and to the same tune out of the little > pulpit in the dear little brown house, the "Free" Church on the heath-clad > knoll by the foot of the steep brae, "Beallachan Taighdhuine,"Kilninver, > Loachfoachinside, whoe peaceful waters were bemirrored then as was the > sheet before me now at Benderloch." > Now I have a fantastic gem from the same page in the book! > "Dr. Blair and I spoke in Gaelic, and I remimded him of his delightful > remark long ago. He was delighted I should remember it. I also reminded > him of his presenting my paternal Aunt Jane, Mrs. William Harris, > Bushyhill, Cambuslang, with a Gaelic bible, out of which he often read to > her, and of many other kindnesses shown to her and others." (If Jane is > Duncan's paternal aunt, she has to be a sister to his father, John, and > therefore a daughter to Dugald.)