Author: Caroline L. Smith Hymnal: The Cyber Hymnal #6496 Meter: 8.7.8.7 First Line: Tarry with me, O my Savior Lyrics: 1. Tarry with me, O my Savior,
For the day is passing by;
See! the shades of evening gather,
And the night is drawing nigh.
2. Deeper, deeper grow the shadows,
Paler now the glowing west,
Swift the night of death advances;
Shall it be the night of rest?
3. Lonely seems the vale of shadow;
Sinks my heart with troubled fear;
Give me faith for clearer vision,
Speak Thou, Lord, in words of cheer.
4. Let me hear Thy voice behind me,
Calming all these wild alarms;
Let me, underneath my weakness,
Feel the everlasting arms.
5. Feeble, trembling, fainting, dying,
Lord, I cast myself on Thee;
Tarry with me through the darkness;
While I sleep, still watch by me.
6. Tarry with me, O my Savior,
Lay my head upon Thy breast
Till the morning; then awake me—
Morning of eternal rest.
Here is Smith's original version, which can be sung to the following tunes:
BLAGDON, Charles E. Stephens
LAUDA ANIMA, John Goss, 1869
NEALE, William H. Monk, 1868
PICARDY, French carol melody
1. Tarry with me, O my Saviour!
For the day is passing by;
See, the shades of evening gather,
And the night is drawing nigh;
Tarry with me—tarry with me;
Pass me not unheeded by!
2. Many friends were gathered round me,
In the bright days of the past;
But the grave has closed above them,
And I linger here the last!
I am lonely: tarry with me
Till this dreary night is past.
3. Dimmed for me is earthly beauty;
Yet the spirit’s eye would fain
Rest upon thy lovely features:
Shall I seek, dear Lord, in vain?
Tarry with me, O my Saviour!
Let me see thy smile again.
4. Dull my ear to earth-born music:
Speak thou, Lord! in words of cheer;
Feeble, tottering my footstep,
Sinks my heart with sudden fear:
Cast thine arms, dear Lord! around me,
Let me feel thy presence near.
5. Faithful memory paints before me
Every deed and thought of sin;
Open thou the blood-filled fountain,
Cleanse my guilty soul within:
Tarry, thou forgiving Saviour!
Wash me wholly from my sin.
6. Deeper, deeper grow the shadows;
Paler now the glowing west;
Swift the night of death advances,—
Shall it be a night of rest?
Tarry with me, O my Saviour!
Lay my head upon thy breast.
7. Feeble, trembling, panting, dying,
Lord! I cast myself on thee:
Tarry with me through the darkness,
While I sleep, still watch by me,
Till the morning,—then awake me
Dearest Lord! to dwell with thee. Languages: English Tune Title: ST. SYLVESTER
Tarry with Me (Smith)