Abide With Me

The story of this hymn

Henry Francis Lyte wrote these words in 1847 in the last weeks of his life, as tuberculosis closed in — which is why every line reads like a man speaking calmly to God at dusk. Sung to William Monk’s tune “Eventide”, it has opened and closed funerals across the English-speaking world for over 170 years.

Where it sits in the service

Most often the closing hymn — the congregation stands and sings the coffin out — though it serves equally as the gathering hymn while the family is seated. The final verse is the one most families want sung slowly.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Hymn — Abide With Me” with the leader or choir named beside it.

How it is actually sung

Almost universally known, and the one hymn most congregations can sing without the words in front of them. Verses one, two and five are the usual selection — the middle verses are rarely sung and their absence is not noticed. It is slow, and it should be: a congregation that rushes “Abide With Me” has misunderstood it. Best placed near the end of the service, before the committal, where its evening imagery does the work it was written to do.

Printing the words

Public domain since long before living memory, so print as many verses as you like without asking anyone. Three verses fit comfortably on one page with the order beside them.

This is practical guidance rather than legal advice. Reproduction rights vary by territory, by hymnal edition and by the licence your church holds — the church office is the right place to ask, and they answer this question often.