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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 lifes little day; | 5 |
Earths 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 dwellst 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, and thus bide 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 tempters 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 deaths 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 |
Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee: | |
In life and death, O Lord, abide with me! | |
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