If you haven't heard, we have a new album releasing 9/6 called "Not Here Yet," and the first single from the project has just hit the airwaves this morning! Give a listen to "Abide With Me" on Spotify, Apple, Youtube, or wherever you stream music!
Along with featuring Lay Us Down's lyric video and Wandering Soul, CCM Magazine even highlighted our upcoming album in this recent article with these words:
[This] brand new album...promises a cohesive collection of tracks that delve into the reality of what has been called “the already but not yet”—this “in-between” place we find ourselves—reflecting poems of grace’s continued growth as artists and storytellers.
More to come about the album, and I'll share the story behind "Abide With Me" below in just a moment. But first, a quick plug.
IT'S A FIRE..........sale*
Our Devotional is currently for sale at $11.99. It's great for personal study, and even better as a group study. I give some ideas of how to use it in this video.
And now, back to the song.
Background
The lyrics to "Abide With Me" were originally written by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) about just before he died of tuberculosis, pulling its title from Luke 24:29, when those who walked with Christ along the road to Emmaus said, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” The hymn was sung for the first time at his funeral, and it has been sung in countless homes, churches, and funerals ever since.
Most recently, at the funeral of a friend in our congregation. I was asked to share a word of comfort to the family and friends gathered for a funeral, and invited to share a parting song at the end. These words, first shared at Lyte's own funeral were a balm of hope in this time of grief as well.
Here are the (slightly modified) lyrics & chords:
Abide With Me - CCLI 7236589
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
I fear no foe, with You at hand to bless
Ills lose their weight, and tears their bitterness
Where is your sting, death? O grave, your victory?
I triumph still, when You, abide with me
Hold now the cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks now, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, Lord, abide with me
Joined only by Keiko Ying on cello, this song is about as naked as it gets. Felt piano, a single vocal, and the swell of strings building throughout. It's an impactful finish to the whole album, and a song I imagine will also be sung one day at my own funeral. As John Wesley so aptly put while on his deathbed, "The best of all is, God is with us!”
Amen, John Wesley. Amen.
*If you got the Tobias Fünke reference, thank you for making my day.
Comments