Abide With Me - Hayley Westenra

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

(Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word

But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord

Familiar, condescending, patient, free

Come not to sojourn, but abide with me

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings

But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;

Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea

Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile

And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile

Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee

On to the close, O Lord, 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 no 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.)