"Abide with Me" is one of the most beloved Christian hymns, a poignant prayer for God's presence through life's trials and into death. The lyrics were penned by Scottish Anglican clergyman Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847) in 1847, as he battled tuberculosis.

Facing his own mortality after preaching his farewell sermon, Lyte drew inspiration from Luke 24:29—"Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." The opening line, "Abide with me; fast falls the eventide," uses evening as a metaphor for life's fleeting nature, pleading for divine companionship amid change, decay, and darkness. Verses evoke triumph over death and hope in eternal light: "In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me."

Though Lyte composed a simple tune, it was largely forgotten. The hymn's enduring popularity stems from its pairing with EVENTIDE, a hauntingly beautiful melody in E-flat major (10.10.10.10 meter) composed in 1861 by English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889).

Monk, musical editor of the influential Hymns Ancient and Modern, reportedly wrote EVENTIDE in just ten minutes during a hymnal meeting, amid personal sorrow. Its descending lines and serene resolution perfectly capture the text's longing and reassurance, elevating the hymn to classic status.

Culturally, "Abide with Me" transcends church walls. Traditionally sung at England's FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, where crowds join in heartfelt rendition.

It has comforted in times of war (WWI trenches, Nurse Edith Cavell's execution), featured in films, Olympics, and funerals worldwide—including reportedly on the Titanic. Its message of unchanging divine presence amid transience resonates deeply, making it a timeless anthem of faith and hope. (298 words)