From the recording Shallow Water
words:
Henry Francis Lytle (1795-1847)
melody: Eventide, William Henry Monk (1823-1889)
This hymn has always been special to me. My mother sang it to me many times when I was a child. It’s so beautiful in its clean, spare way, and it’s odd to me now that when I was a boy I never thought of it as a sad song. I guess at that age I couldn’t have been aware of how it addresses the darkness and fear we all eventually face in this world. Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. Amen.
Lyrics
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
I fear no foe
With thee at hand to bless
Ills have weight
And tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting?
Where grave thy victory?
I triumph still if thou
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
O abide with me
Words by Henry Francis Lyte (1795-1847)
Original melody – Eventide – by William Henry Monk (1823-1889)
Public Domain