Monday, March 20, 2006

Abide With Me

Hymn lyrics by Henry F. Lyte,
Music by William H. Monk
Verse 1
  • Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
  • The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
  • When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
  • Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Verse 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 Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Verse 3
  • Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
  • But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
  • Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
  • Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Verse 4
  • Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
  • But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
  • Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
  • Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Verse 5
  • Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
  • And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
  • Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
  • On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
Verse 6
  • I need Thy presence every passing hour.
  • What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
  • Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
  • Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
Verse 7
  • I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
  • Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
  • Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
  • I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Verse 8
  • Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
  • Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
  • Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
  • In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

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