I had the joy of wandering around "This Old House" today. It's been scheduled for demolition soon, but the owner is donating the property to our church because it adjoins our church property. I thought this old house deserved some pictures to remember her by. So hold on tight and take a little walk-about tour with me round about her.
You may want to click on this video of the song by Stuart Hamblen called "This Old House". In the first part he tells the real story of how he wrote this song. I think it fits perfect with these pictures.
Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a hut in the mountains. Inside was the body of a man, and the man's dog was still there, guarding the building. This inspired Hamblen to write "This Ole House". The lyric picks up a standard Gospel theme of the "old house" - the mortal body - being left behind when the believer goes to "meet the saints".
Stuart Hamblen - This Old House lyrics ♪♫
This old house once knew my children, This old house once knew my wife.
This old house was home and shelter as we fought the storms of life.
This old house once rang with laughter, This old house heard many shouts.
Now she trembles in the darkness when the lightnin' walks about.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, Ain't gonna need this house no more.
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, Ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, Nor to mend the window pane.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm getting ready to meet the saints.
This old house is getting shaky, This old house is getting old.
This old house lets in the rain and This old house lets in the cold.
On my knees I'm getting chilly, But I feel no fear or pain.
Cause I see an angel peeking through, A broken window pane.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, Ain't gonna need this house no more.
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, Ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, Nor to mend the window pane.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm getting ready to meet the saints.
Now my old hound dog lies asleeping, He don't know I'm gonna leave.
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace, And he'd sit there, howl and grieve
But my hunting days are over
I aint gonna hunt the 'coon no more
Gabriel done brought in chariot
When the wind blew down the door
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, Ain't gonna need this house no more.
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, Ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, Nor to mend the window pane.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm getting ready to meet the saints.
I hope you enjoyed "This Old House" with me. It's sad to see old houses left to rot and ruin. Perhaps there will be something salvageable about this old house and parts could be repurposed for something new and wonderful. Who knows?
That's what God does. He takes our tired old bodies and someday He calls us home where we will get a brand new heavenly body, where neither rust nor dust or mold will ever destroy...no more pain or sorrow or sickness.
"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
2 Corinthians 5:1
"3. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4
"Ain't gonna need this house no longer, Ain't gonna need this house no more."
Poor old house. I can imagine all the happy memories that were made there.
ReplyDeleteBlessings. xx
Beautiful! I love the author's speaking voice; it wasn't 90 seconds before I was crying. Do you know whatever happened to the old hound dog?
ReplyDeleteSharing! xo
Wonderful photos
ReplyDeleteIt always breaks my heart to see run-down, abandoned houses, Pam. I always find myself wondering who lived there once upon a time, and why the poor house was allowed to decay over the years. I did love the verses, and the story, you shared of how "This Ol' House" came to be. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet the church will put the property to good use.
Blessings!
I love old falling down houses...so much history there. I like to imagine the families who lived in them, the things they have seen.
ReplyDeletePam: Yes, it is sad when houses are allowed to fall into disrepair. We have one across the street from us that has been abandoned. The sad part of it is the house is brick and, at one time was one of the two modern homes on our block. It is sad when people choose not to appreciate what they have.
ReplyDeleteGood memories, sad memories. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this!! When I see old buildings like that I always wonder about the lives that passed through it. I'm glad you captured the essence before it is gone. xo
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are perfect to go with this song.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying old houses as I do, this post was especially interesting to me. Your application of the lyrics to the song and they apply to our physical bodies is really good.
ReplyDeleteI love this the pictures are perfect. Funny, I did a BW of an old house and funny the first thing I thought was This old house. Even linked a different version. Wish I could have gotten more of this particular home
ReplyDeletemy blog is here https://heavygators.blogspot.com/2022/04/bw-makes-me-smile-day-91-old-house-4122.html