Today I share with you one of my favorite hymns. We may know of the term swan song. The lyricist of this hymn, Henry Lyte, experienced this with the writing of this beautiful hymn shortly before his death. Later the music was added in just a half an hour of time. It amazes me how perfectly God works to mold people, music and history into a treasure for which no words can express. Take a moment and enjoy the history and music behind this timeless hymn, 'Abide with Me.'

A brief biography of Henry Francis Lyte and the circumstances around the writing of this beautiful hymn, Abide with Me.

The video is about 8 minutes.

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.

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.

Thanks for listening. Feel free to comment, upvote or resteem. - Troy.