<i>Abide with us: for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent. -- Luke xxiv.29</i> <br /> <br /> <br />Abide with me! Fast falls the Eventide; <br />The darkness thickens. Lord, with me abide <br />When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, <br />Help of the helpless, O abide with me! <br /> <br />Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; <br />Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away: <br />Change and decay in all around I see. <br />O Thou who changest not, abide with me! <br /> <br />Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word; <br />But as Thou dwellst with thy disciples, Lord, <br />Familiar, condescending, patient, free, -- <br />Come, not to sojourn, but abide with me. <br /> <br />Come not in terrors, as the King of kings; <br />But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings, <br />Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea. <br />Come, Friend of sinners and thus bide with me. <br /> <br />Thou on my head in early youth did smile, <br />And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, <br />Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. <br />On to the close, O Lord, abide with me! <br /> <br />I need thy presence every passing hour. <br />What but thy grace can foil the Tempter's power? <br />Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? <br />Through cloud and sunshine, O, abide with me! <br /> <br />I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless; <br />Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. <br />Where is death's sting? where grave thy victory? <br />I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. <br /> <br />Hold then thy cross before my closing eyes; <br />Speak through the gloom, and point me to the skies. <br />Heaven's morning breaks, and Earth's vain shadows flee! <br />In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!<br /><br />Henry Francis Lyte<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/abide-with-me/
