Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#561

561. Abide with Me; Fast Falls the Eventide

1 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!

2 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!

3 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.

4 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 ev'ry plea.
O Friend of sinners, thus abide with me!

5 Thou on my head in every 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!

6 I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

7 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.

8 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Text Information

• First Line: Abide with me; fast falls the eventide
• Title: Abide with Me; Fast Falls the Eventide
• Author: H. F. Lyte, 1793-1847
• Meter: 10 10 10 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996

Tune Information

• Name: EVENTIDE
• Composer: W. H. Monk, 1823-89
• Meter: 10 10 10 10
• Key: E♭ Major