WORSHIP >> EVENING Worship
SDAH 46
Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on!
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide;
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Abide With Me, ’Tis Eventide
This beloved vesper hymn first appeared in the 1948 Mormon hymnal and has been cherished in evening worship services ever since. Little is known about the original author, but the melody was composed by William Harrison Millard (1830–1895), a Boston-born musician, composer, and Union soldier in the Civil War.
Originally written in 3/4 time, the version in SDAH has been adapted to 3/2 time, slowing the tempo to a more meditative pace. The gentle, pleading melody and lyrics remind us of the disciples’ request to Christ on the road to Emmaus: “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent” (Luke 24:29).
As we sing, may this hymn draw us closer to Christ’s presence, especially in life’s twilight moments.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This vesper hymn comes to us from the Mormon hymnal, Hymns: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1948. It is much loved and often sung in the meetings of this fellowship. The original was in 3/4 time, with quarter and eighth notes, which we have changed to 3/2 time, doubling the note values to encourage a slow, meditative tempo.
Nothing is known of the author. They hymn has appeared in American hymnals only four times, two of them Mormon hymnals and one a Primitive Baptist book. The earliest one was Gospel Melodies, 1884, a collection of sacred songs by William Harrison.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Harrison Millard (1830-1895) was an American composer and voice teacher. While very young he joined the Handel and Haydn Society. Later he studied music in Europe and returned to teach voice in New York City. In the Civil War he fought on the side of the Union and was wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga. His compositions include a grand Mass; a four-act opera, Deborah; and more than 300 songs.
Stanza:
1 – Luke 24:29
2 – Luke 24:32
3 – John 8:12
Text
1
Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on!
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide;
Refrain
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide!
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.
2
Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with Thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near Thy side;
3
Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
And lone will be the night,
If I cannot commune with Thee,
Nor find in Thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide;
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Luke 24:29 (b) Luke 24:32 (c) John 8:12
Author
M. Lowrie Hofford
Hymn Tune
WELCOME GUEST
Metrical Number
C.M.D. Ref
Composer
Harrison Millard (1830-1895)
Theme
EVENING WORHIP
