The song’s lyrics for “Abide With Me” are dated 1847, but the music is 1861. It is always interesting the formation of hymns that we sing. In this case, the words were part of a larger poem set to music by the poet, but a later composer came around later with the music that made it one of the more well-known hymns of an era. In fact, both men are known more for this hymn than any other accomplishment today. The power of words and music!
Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847), Lyricist
Henry Francis Lyte was born June 1, 1793 in Ednam, Scotland. His parents’ names were Thomas and Anna Lyte. The father deserted the family but made arrangements for Henry to attend Portora Royal School where he met a mentor. He studied at Trinity College in Dublin and became a member of the Anglican Church. He married Anne Maxwell. They had two daughters and three sons. He was proficient in Latin, Greek, and French. He was known for knowledge of poetry, hymns, literature, and wildflowers.
There are other lyrics he as written (e.g. “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”), but this is the only song of his in V. E. Howard’s songbook. “Abide With Me” was by far his most popular hymn. The rhythmic structure of the hymn is 10 10.10 10, indicating a succession of ten syllables. He was plagued with bouts of asthma and bronchitis, and he underwent some rather peculiar treatments to alleviate these conditions. It was reported he had tuberculosis, and he was ordered to leave for southern France in an effort to improve his health in September 1847.
Some sources state it was written September 4, 1847 on the day before he left for France. Lyte died November 20, 1847 in the Kingdom of Sardinia, a part of France, where he was also buried. On his tombstone, it reads “Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shows flee. In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”
Here are the words to the entire poem written by Lyte. Stanzas 1, 2, 6 and 8 (highlighted) were the ones used by Monk for the hymn “Abide With Me”:
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, and thus bide 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, O 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 then 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 and death, O Lord, abide with me!
Jesus !—and can it ever be—
A mortal man ashamed of Thee!
Scorn'd be the thought by rich and poor;
My soul shall scorn it more and more.
Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far
May evening blush to own a star!
Ashamed of Jesus! just as soon
May midnight blush to think of noon.
Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may
When I've no sins to wash away,
No tears to wipe, no joys to crave,
And no immortal soul to save.
Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend
On whom my hopes of heaven depend;
No! when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere his Name.
Till then—nor is the boasting vain—
Till then, I boast a Saviour slain.
And, Oh! may this my portion be,
That Saviour's not ashamed of me!
William Henry Monk (1823-1889), Composer
William Henry Monk was born March16, 1823 in London. Not much is known about his childhood; although he was reported to be well learned on the keyboard at first and composition later. Because of his talent with the keyboard, he served various churches for organ music. He worked as an educator at Kings College and taught various music schools. In 1882, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music by Durham University.
The title for this musical arrangement is called EVENTIDE. Lyte had actually written his own music for the hymn, but it was not very popular. Monk published the hymn with his own tune after the death of his three-year old daughter. This version appeared in the Church of England hymnbook, Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). This was a very popular hymnbook among the Anglican Church and sold an estimated 60 million copies. The name of the tune is the original name of the poem by Lyte. The hymn has been a favorite of many and is Monk’s best-known work.
William Henry Monk died March 1, 1889 in London, and he is buried in Highgate Cemetery. He was very popular in his day for his work in music, but time marches on and over!
Abide With Me
Some misclassify this song as an evening song, but the song was not about the closing of day but of the closing of one’s life. In fact, one writer stated plainly it was more suited as a funeral song (McCutchan, 502). It has been requested for funerals by the famous and not-so-famous. In fact, one record states that the words were sung by someone as they faced a firing squad.
Jesus promised He would be with us “even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV). The reference here is to the Christian age. After the Christian age is over, then comes the judgment— “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27–28 NKJV). This does NOT mean that there will be a second chance for salvation, but that Christ will save those who are His from the second death. Are you ready to appear before the judgment seat of Christ? We are told to prepare for that day— “For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:9-11 NKJV). Everyone will face the first death, but you should do everything possible to escape the second death!
If you want Christ to abide with you, then you must abide with Christ by putting on Christ (cf. Galatians 3:27). Are you ready for the coming day?
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SOURCES:
Ernest K. Emurian, Living Stories of Famous Hymns, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1955.
“Henry Francis Lyte.” No Pages. Cited 27 May 2018. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Francis_Lyte.
“Henry Francis Lyte.” No Pages. Cited 27 May 2018.. Online: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116081504/henry-francis-lyte.
“Hymns Ancient and Modern.” No Pages. Cited 27 May 2018. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymns_Ancient_and_Modern.
John P. Wiegand, Editor, Praise for the Lord, Nashville, TN: Praise Press, 1997.
Robert Guy McCutchan, Our Hymnody, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1937.
Select Poetry: Chiefly on Subjects Connected with Religion, London: Seeleys, 1860.
V. E. Howard, Editor, Church Gospel Songs & Hymns, Texarkana, TX: Central Printers & Publishers, 1983.
“William Henry Monk.” No Pages. Cited 27 May 2018. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Monk.
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