"Abide With Me"

Abide With Me

Henry F. Lyte, a man that had a deep devotion and enjoyed songs that exhibited faith, wrote "Abide With Me." The last 23 years of his life he suffered health wise but continued to serve the Lord. He was known to have said, "It is better to wear out than to rust out," but that perfectly described his work ethic. He was the pastor of a poor church in an English seaside village. His congregation was composed largely of seafarers, fishermen, and sailors. Despite his weakened condition and their rough lifestyle, they loved each other. The song, "Abide With Me" describes the time Lyte spent at this humble church.

As his health started to decline, he preached his last sermon to this congregation on September 4, 1847. His doctor had advised him that he needed to life in a warmer climate. Lyte decided to sail to the much more sunny environment of southern Italy. His last sermon was one that made a lasting impression. He was so weak that he almost crawled to the pulpit. During his sermon, he said that he wished to "induce you to prepare for the solemn hour which must come to all by a timely appreciation and dependence on the death of Christ." Shortly before, he had written the tune to "Abide With Me." After he finished preaching, that evening he wrote the words to the song.

Abide With Me

(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.

(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.

(3) 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, O abide with me.

(4) I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness;

Where is death's sting? where, grace, thy victory?

I triumph still if Thou abide with me.

(5) Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Henry F. Lyte (1793 – 1847) set sail for southern Europe but died later that same year. This hymn was based on the disciples traveling with Jesus on the way to Emmaus, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening and the day is far spent." William Henry Monk later rewrote the music to the song but the words remained the same as they were when Lyte scribed them.

" Abide With Me"

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