By Henry Francis Lyte (lyrics); William Henry Monk (music) – Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
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.
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
Stay with me; it’s getting darker
And darker; My friend, stay with me.
Now that all hope of help and comfort have gone,
Helper of the helpless, oh, stay with me.
Life’s short span is ending;
The world’s happiness and splendour are fading.
I see change and decay everywhere I look;
Oh You who never change, stay with me.
Hold Your cross in front of my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Morning in Heaven dawns, and earth’s shallowness falls away.
In life, in death, friend, stay with me.