Abide With Me

Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
Music: W.H. Monk, 1823-1889

THE VERSES IN ITALICS COULD BE OMITTED

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

If you'd like a professional soloist to sing this hymn at a forthcoming funeral in south east England,
​just call Singers for Funerals on 01252 511 762.