Abide with me
I’ve had a very busy day today so haven’t had time to write anything significant, but I just remembered this piece that I heard a few weeks ago and thought I’d take the opportunity to share it. The hymn Abide with Me sung to the tune Eventide by William Henry Monk is a piece that makes me quite nostalgic as I remember it coming up quite frequently during Evensong when I sang in the Church choir in Benwell when I was little. It’s also well known as the hymn that was always sung before the start of the FA Cup Final.
Anyway, I’m not really a huge fan of brass bands, but I think this arrangement of Eventide for brass instruments by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins is very beautiful. On this recording it’s played by the Cory Band.
Follow @telescoper
In the Dark 
January 15, 2021 at 11:04 am
Abide With Me was written by man dying of TB and is wonderful.
In the 1990s I recall listening to a (section of a?) radio programme about it, one evening and almost certainly Radio 4. I was in my car eating fish and chips, in fact. They included an upbeat version – same tune – by a group of African Christians and, remarkably in view of the words, it still worked. I’ve been trying to find it ever since.
January 15, 2021 at 11:26 am
There are two hymns that always evoke vivid memories of the church choir. One is Abide with Me. The other is The Day Thou gavest Lord has ended.
January 15, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Hills of the North, Rejoice?
January 15, 2021 at 4:53 pm
Both common for funerals, the second is also very much associated with the Royal Navy. Although its a long time ago, I have a memory that these were the two hymns at my grandmother’s funeral. There was a strong naval connection in the family.
January 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm
I once went to a wedding at which the main hymn was For those in Peril on the Sea.. 🙃
January 15, 2021 at 6:48 pm
Eternal Father Strong to Save (…for those in peril on the sea) is another I choke up when singing. These are hymns I loved while an atheist! There’s also a version of Eternal Father adapted for those in peril in the air, which appears briefly in the film of The Right Stuff.
Reverting to Abide With Me, I do enjoy singing “Change and decay in all around I see” with gusto…
January 6, 2023 at 9:30 pm
I think you’ll find it’s this. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0075zdm