"Abide with me" is a popular hymn.
The lyrics were written by Henry Francis Lyte, a Scotsman living in Devon, England in 1847.
The music was written by composer William Henry Monk.
The Hymn was a favourite of King George V and Mahatma Gandhi.
Since 1927 the hymn has been sung at The FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium (except for the years 2001 - 2006 when the final was played and the hymn sung at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff)
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.
- 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 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, Lord, abide with me.
- I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
- ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
- Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
- I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
- 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;
- in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Reference: "Hymns Ancient and Modern" Ed. 1861