Abide With Me

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, oh, abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs our life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou Who changeth not, abide with me!

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!

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 abide with me!

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!

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, oh, abide with me!

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weights, and tears no bitterness;

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

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold then Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee--

In life and death, O Lord, abide with me!

Henry F. Lyte