Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#127a

127a. Abide with Me

1. Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness thickens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O God, who changes not, abide with me!

3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as you dwelt with your disciples, Lord;
Familiar, condescending, patient, free—
Come, not to sojourn, but abide with me.

4. Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good with healing in your wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for ev’ry plea;
Come, friend of sinners, then abide with me.

5. You on my head in early youth did smile,
And tho’ rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
You have not left me, tho’ I oft did flee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

6. I need your presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but your grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who like yourself my guide and stay can be?
Thru’ cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

7. I fear no foe with you at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave your victory?
I triumph still if you abide with me.

8. Hold now the cross before my closing eyes,
Speak thru’ the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee;
For life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Text Information

• First Line: Abide with me! fast falls the eventide
• Title: Abide with Me
• Author: Henry Lyte (1847)
• Meter: 10.10.10.10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Job 14:13-14
• Topic: Lent; Holy Week: Saturday Vigil
• Notes: Text by Anglican priest Henry Lyte, from a manuscript reproduced in his Poetical Works (1907).

Tune Information

• Name: ABIDE WITH ME
• Composer: Henry Lyte (1847)
• Arranger: Chris Fenner (2023)
• Arranger: Joseph Herl (2023)
• Meter: 10.10.10.10
• Incipit: 11234 56665 3
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: His own tune, ABIDE WITH ME, printed as an anthem in 1863, reprinted in The Musical Times (Feb. 1908); arr. by Chris Fenner and Joseph Herl (2023).