Abide with me

Abide with me

Arranged by: Marshall McDonald

Played by: Hudson Halling

Webster’s 1828* dictionary defines “abide” as “to rest or dwell” and “In general, abide by signifies to adhere to, maintain defend, or stand to, as to abide by a promise, or by a friend; or to suffer the consequences, as to abide by the event, that is, to be fixed or permanent in a particular condition.” (Full definition here http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/abide)

I believe the choice of “abide“ was very purposeful, and thought out, and not just do to the old English of the author (Henry F. Lyte, 1793–1847) he was truly asking the lord to stay, not just to visit.

Lyrics: 1. 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, oh, abide with me!

2. 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!

3. I need thy presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!

In 1828 the author was 35. That is the reason I chose this edition