Abide with Me

One of my favorite things about my family is that we love to sing together. As my kids have grown and started getting married, our choir has expanded. I wrote this specifically for my family to sing together one summer when we had my oldest two boys home from college. A favorite memory is singing it over the phone to my Grandma just before she passed away. I was grateful we could share something with her that was so uniquely us and so filled with peace.

Voicing: SSATTBB, a capella

Accompaniment: none

Topics:  Comfort, Encouragement, Funeral, Grace, Guidance, Healing, Jesus Christ, Peace, Savior, Steadfastness, Trials

Text: Henry F. Lyte

Music: William H. Monk

Arranged: Rachel P. Mohlman

PDF - choral score

PDF - with piano reduction (for rehearsal only)

Audio (live)

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, 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 ev’ry passing hour.

What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!

Abide!