Abide With Me

Henry F. Lyte(June 1, 1793 – November 20, 1847), 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. Henry F. Lyte was sickly and unwell much of the time. 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. Shortly before, he had written the tune to “Abide With Me.” After he finished preaching, that evening he wrote the words to the song.

Henry F. Lyte 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.

At the end of the Beating Retreat ceremony (held every year on the 29th of January) at Vijay Chowk, the bell towers (of Rashtrapati Bhawan; do they have a complete carillon? I would imagine so…) perform “Abide with me”. If I remember correctly, they begin the tune and the massed bands take it up. The magnificent setting (Lutyens’ Delhi), the chilly winter weather and colourful pageantry of the massed bands – and of course the atmosphere created by the music make for a truly memorable experience. As the last peals roll down Raisina Hill and die away, all the buildings around and including the north and south blocks light up – and the firework display begins.

It is a fact that Gandhi loved this hymn and was said to be a favourite of King George V.

Since 1927 it has been sung before the kick-off at every FA Cup Final and Rugby League Challenge Cup final.

A list of other Popular Usage of this hymn can be found here.

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.

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 thus bide 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, 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.

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

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