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1847
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! | |
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| Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day: | 5 |
| 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! | |
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| Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, | |
| But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord, | 10 |
| Familiar, condescending, patient, free, | |
| Come not to sojourn, but abide with me! | |
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| 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: | 15 |
| Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me! | |
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| 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! | 20 |
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| 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! | |
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| I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless: | 25 |
| 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. | |
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| Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; | |
| Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: | 30 |
| Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee. | |
| In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me! | |
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