Abide With Me

The Story

Henry Lyte was a preacher serving faithfully in a small fishing town in Devonshire, England, for twenty three years.  During the last three years, he suffered and faded with tuberculosis. He preached his last sermon, penned "Abide With Me", and then left to Italy to get away from the cold, damp coastal weather. While en route to his destination, he mailed a revised copy of "Abide With Me" to his wife. A few days later while resting in a hotel on the French Riviera, Henry went home to be with Jesus. A fellow clergyman who was with Henry during his final hours reported that Henry's last words were, "Peace! Joy!"

Inspiration for the hymn began years before when Henry was at the bedside of a dying friend, who repeatedly murmured a passage from Luke 24:29, recounting the disciples traveling to Emmaus asking Jesus to, "Abide with us, for it is evening and day is almost spent."          (sharefaith  and  songsandhymns.org)

The Link to the Piano Music
Just click on  "Play" below.
Though the recordings aren't polished, they were fun to do.  I didn't intend for others to hear them, but a few have asked, so here you go!  You can read more about my music by selecting the Keys button below the blog title.

(Here is a link for downloading this and other songs:  Abide with Me)

 The Hymn

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, O 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;

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

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

"Abide with us, for it is evening and day is almost spent."

~ the disciples

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."

"I am with you always."

~ Jesus