Composer

:

Samuel Liddle

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

4:24

"Abide With Me" is a hymn composed by Scottish Anglican minister and hymnodist, Henry Francis Lyte, in 1847. The melody was composed by William Henry Monk in 1861. The hymn has become a popular choice for funerals and memorial services. The hymn is typically performed in a slow and solemn tempo, with a simple melody that emphasizes the text. The lyrics are a prayer for God's presence and comfort in times of trouble and uncertainty. The hymn is divided into three verses, each of which expresses a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with God. The first verse begins with the speaker asking God to "abide with me" and to "fast falls the eventide." The imagery of the falling evening emphasizes the speaker's sense of approaching darkness and uncertainty. The verse ends with the speaker asking God to "help of the helpless" and to "stay with me." The second verse continues the theme of the first, with the speaker asking God to "help me through the darkness" and to "guide me with thine eye." The imagery of the "darkness" and the "eye" suggest a sense of being lost and in need of guidance. The third verse shifts the focus from the speaker's own needs to the needs of others. The speaker asks God to "hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes" and to "shine through the gloom and point me to the skies." The imagery of the cross and the skies suggests a sense of hope and redemption, even in the face of death. "Abide With Me" has become a beloved hymn in many Christian traditions, and has been performed by a wide range of artists, including Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Yo-Yo Ma. Its simple melody and powerful lyrics continue to resonate with people of all faiths and backgrounds.

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