“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 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.
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.”
Story Behind the Song: Abide With Me
“Abide with Me” was written by Henry Francis Lyte, an Anglican divine and hymnwriter, in 1847. Lyte penned the lyrics shortly before his death. The story goes that he wrote the hymn after conducting his final service as a vicar in Brixham, England, before leaving for Italy due to declining health. The evening following the service, Lyte faced the prospect of a sea voyage and was overwhelmed by a sense of his own mortality.
In this moment of reflection, he wrote the poignant and heartfelt words of “Abide with Me,” expressing a deep desire for God’s presence in times of darkness, change, and the approaching end of life. The hymn has since become a source of comfort and solace for many, resonating with those facing difficult circumstances or dealing with loss. Its enduring popularity and timeless themes continue to make it a cherished part of Christian hymnody.