Abide in me, O Lord, and I in Thee

From this good hour, oh, leave me nevermore

Then shall the discord cease, the wound be healed

The lifelong bleeding of the soul be o'er.



Abide in me; o'ershadow by Thy love

Each half formed purpose and dark thought of sin

Quench ere it rise each selfish, low desire

And keep my soul as Thine, calm and divine.



As some rare perfume in a vase of clay

Pervades it with a fragrance not its own

So, when Thou dwellest in a mortal soul

All heaven's own sweetness seems around it thrown.



Abide in me; there have been moments blest

When I have heard Thy voice and felt Thy power

Then evil lost its grasp; and passion, hushed

Owned the divine enchantment of the hour.



These were but seasons beautiful and rare

Abide in me, and they shall ever be

Fulfill at once Thy precept and my prayer

Come, and abide in me, and I in Thee...