Track 11: Abide with Me (Eventide)

What song do you play at a funeral? What do you want to say to the people who remain behind?

I arranged this song for my great aunt's funeral in 2008. Even though not a common song, nor were most people familiar with the words I loved the line "Help of the helpless."

My wish for those grieving that day and any day, is that they would be helped. In some ways, all grieving people are helpless - there's nothing you can do at a funeral to bring the person back. So my wish for the people there was help for the helpless.

I've also found, in my musical journeys, that sometimes the omitted verses are some of the best. In the summer of 2023, 15 years later, I found the following words which I had never seen printed in a hymnal.

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 terror, 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, thus abide 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 knew this song was a close of life song, but I loved the prayer that God wouldn't just be passing, but dwelling. That God would have a tear for all my woes. On to the close... so keep going. And even more beautifully so, these are requests I make of God, to God. These are not actions I'm asking God to help me do... rather I'm asking God to help the helpless.... and Abide With Me.