Abide With Me

Abide with me! Fast falls the Eventide
The darkness thickens. 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 dwellst 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 did 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, O, 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 then thy cross before my closing eyes
Speak 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!