Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom; Lead thou me on! The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet! I do not ask to see The distant scene--one step's enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path, but now Lead thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
So long thy power has blest me, sure it still Will lead me on O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone. And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.
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!
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, oh, 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 thou 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!
A Collection of Tales for Which Belief is Respectfully Solicited, But Which Sophisticated Readers are Likely to Cite as Evidence of the Fact That Truth Has Lost Much of Her Youthful Charm and Many Admirers.