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, oh, abide with me.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, 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.
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
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, thus abide with me.
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings:
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
4
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, oh, abide with me.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.
5
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.
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.
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Vadodara, Gujarat, India
I am an Indian Christian and proud to hear the trumpet on 26th of Jan 2013. Wow! It's so great to be a Christian and hear the song tunes!!!!! How our Living God is Present!!!!!
Detroit, MI, United States
Adding to Joey's 12/2009 comment on the story behind this hymn:
Henry Lyte coined the phrase, "It is better to wear out than to rust out." And Henry Lyte wore out when he was 54 years old, an obscure pastor who labored for 23 years in a poor church in a fishing village in Devonshire, England. This hymn written shortly before his death, was inspired by the words of the 2 disciples met by Jesus on the road to Emmaus: "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." (Luke 24:29)
As Lyte wrote this hymn, he knew he was dying of tuberculosis and asthma (see 5th stanza). It was "eventide" for him, darkness was deepening, and he felt very much alone. - Great Songs of faith by Brown & Norton
Mesa, Az, United States
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
Help of the helpless Oh Abide with me
London, United Kingdom
Every true Christian will sing this song. The path that we trod as we walk with the Lord confer the experience that makes us to sing this song by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Help always comes to the helpless who looks to the Lord. Such a powerful song and cry of helplessness that the Lord cannot turn His back but attend to. Thank You Lord Jesus for being such a help and comfort to our souls. Amen.
Ogori, Ogori-Magongo LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria
As an Anglican, I've known this song for years, but I got to appreciate and understand the power of this hymn by December 2007, when I lost my Mum. My whole world looks like it has come to an end. But at the wake-keep night, this hymn was song by all and it is the only hymn that give me strong meaning because I truly was helpless. Even My Dad with all his 35 years military experiences/ carrier (with a soldier heart of steel)felt the absence, but after that night, "HELP OF THE HELPLESS TRULY HELPED AND COMFORT US.
Nattalam, Kanaya Kumari Dist,Tamil Nadu, India
I like this song very much from my childhood. Every Wednesday evening we sung this song as blessing song in our church service. I also like the story of the hymn very much. I am very happy to hear this song in Olympic opening ceremony. I am so happy to hear this song in India's republic day beating retreat last hymn before the flag is lowered.
Sacramento, CA, United States
This music, so soothing, filled with comfort and care: indeed help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. AMEN.
London, United Kingdom
I was so happy to hear this hymn on the opening of the Olympics Ceremony in London. It touched my heart and my husband and I started praying for revival in the UK again. I've been singing the song since then and I came across this website whilst searching for it online. It's so powerful and anointed!!
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Surprised but delighted to hear this popular hymn sung so movingly by Emeli Sandé during the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics (July) 2012.
Chennai, TN, India
This hymn gives hope and encouragement. At times when I feel weak and weary this hymn speaks to me. This is my favorite hymn. It speaks to my heart every time I hear it.