Sandé made her singing career debut in 2009 after appearing on the track she wrote for Chipmunk's first debut single, "Diamond Rings". The single charted at No. 6 on the UK Singles Charts, making it Chipmunk and Sandé's first ever Top 10 Hit. She later appeared on another single singing guest vocals, after collaborating with Wiley on his comeback single "Never Be Your Woman", the single charted at number-eight on the UK Singles Charts becoming Sandé's second consecutive Top 10 Single.
Sandé decided against using the name Adele Sandé, due to Adele's growing success, so used her middle name instead. She revealed: "I changed it as soon as Adele came out. I just thought, 'You've kind of taken the [name] now', so I went with my middle name. She was just getting bigger and bigger, so I thought I just really need it."
A former medical student, Sandé appeared as a guest vocalist on Professor Green's 2011 UK #1 single Read All About It and soon went on to achieve her own chart success with her first solo release Heaven, which debuted in the UK Singles Chart at #2. Her debut album Our Version of Events was released on 12th February 2012. The album includes the singles Next To Me, Daddy and My Kind Of Love.
Before branching out on her own Sandé had already had a taste of chart success having collaborated with rapper Chipmunk on his song Diamond Rings, and then with Wiley on Never Be Your Woman. She has also written for or collaborated with artists including Let Go, Let It Rain, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.
In a major feature in their Saturday Review paper, The Times declared Emeli Sandé "The Voice of 2012". The New York Times said “Ms. Sandé has a perspective-altering voice, clear and brassy and weapons-grade”. Fellow artists have also proclaimed their admiration, including Alicia Keys, “I just love her style and her flow – super raw.”, and Adele, "How incredible is she?".
Our Version of Events is the UK's biggest selling debut album of 2012.
Sandé appeared at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. She performed Abide with Me
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Abide With Me
Emeli Sandé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
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 terrors, 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 need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
"Abide With Me" is a Christian hymn written by the Scottish poet and Anglican Henry Francis Lyte. Emeli Sandé's version is a soulful and modern adaptation, but the message and the rhythm are already powerful in Lyte's original hymn.
The lyrics acknowledge that life is fleeting and that the world is full of changes and decay. The poet asks God to stay with him during this transitional time and throughout the rest of his life. The image of eventide creates a sense of urgency and time passing as the poet wants guidance and support during the last hours of the day. The metaphor of darkness and the contrast with the light of God's presence can be interpreted as a call for hope and faith during challenging times. The hymn suggests that only God can provide real comfort and support, and that even though we may be unworthy sinners, we can ask for his help and be confident that He will abide with us.
The last stanza of the hymn is particularly poignant as it talks about death, but in a way that suggests acceptance and transcendence. The poet asks God to hold his cross before his closing eyes, and urges Him to shine through the gloom to point to the skies. It is a beautiful and powerful image of faith and surrender to a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
Stay with me; the evening comes quickly.
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
As the darkness grows, please stay with me, Lord.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
When everyone else fails and leaves me alone,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Be my help, since I am helpless. Please stay with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Life quickly comes to an end.
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
The happiness on earth fades, and earthly successes disappear.
Change and decay in all around I see;
In all things, I see only changes and deterioration.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
But, You don't change - so, stay by my side.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
I don't ask for just a quick look or brief word.
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Instead, I ask that You stay with me like You did with Your disciples.
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Keep me company as a friend, patiently and kindly as You always do.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Don't just visit or stop by, but stay with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
Please don't come in anger, as the King of kings.
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
But come with compassion and healing.
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
You have compassion for every pain and listen to every request.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Come, my forgiving friend, and stay with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
You smiled at me when I was young.
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
And even though I was disobedient and bad sometimes,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
You never abandoned me, even though I often left You.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
Stay with me until the end, my Lord.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
I need You with me every moment.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Only Your grace can protect me from Satan's influence.
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Who else can guide and support me as You do?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
Whether I'm struggling or succeeding, be with me, Lord.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
With You by my side, I am not afraid of any enemy.
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Pain and sadness don't weigh me down anymore.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
Death has no power over me or win over me.
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
I will always be victorious as long as You stay with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Hold up Your cross in front of my eyes as I die;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Shine Your light through the darkness and help me see heaven.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
The dawn of eternal life is breaking; the troubles of earth disappear.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Stay with me, my Lord, in life and death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARS HALAPI, ULF SCHAGERSTROM, WILL HENRY MONK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clement Bretanno
Very good rendition.. Keep up the good work.. God needs us more than ever in this civid crisis. God bless you and all who made this piece possible to be shared...
Prayer to the Holy Spirit (St Augustine)
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen n
elfinia
I not only remembered those who died in the London terrorist attacks but also those 11 innocent Israeli athletes who were tortured and killed by terroists exactly 40 years ago at the Olympic village in Munich. The Israeli national anthem should be played every year at the closing ceremony in memory of them.Thank you for a beautiful rendition of this traditional British hymn, Emeli.
Conrad Benjamin
I was backstage waiting to come out and perform my dance and marshalling for the parade of athletes. This song soothed us all. Weakened all of our fears and gave us so much more passion and motivation then what we already had to go out and do what we needed to do. I've never listened to Emeli before but her rendition was absolutely beautiful. Wish I could re-live that moment on the night everynight.
Amy Oyekunle
Played this song for my father before he died of cancer. I believe he was singing along even though he couldn't speak towards the end. I'd like to believe he made his peace with God. I still tear up everytime I hear this song.
lisa hoggart
Amy Oyekunle bless you both xxx
Noëlle Picarra
Amy Oyekunle Bless you ♥
Wayno S
i sang this at my grandmothers funeral, this will forever remind me of the angel that now watches over all of us, God Bless.
DJ Ebony
Amy Oyekunle was played at my pops funeral as well such a poignant track
Mijnou Meow
Love this hymn💖
JohnPaul Dixon
This has GOT to be possibly the finest rendition of a well-known 'hymn' I've listened to in a long while.Such clarity & ennunciation.When she performed it at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony her voice sent shivers down my spine & it certainly was a fitting tribute to the victims of 07-07-2005.But the fact that NBC edited/cut out parts of the event shouldn't be allowed to overshadow what the rest of us got to witness,which was a truly beautiful performance.
David Ayinde
One of my favourite Christian hymns. Emeli does a wonderful job with the song. I like how she takes her time between the microphone and also how she repeats the line: 'In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me'. It stands out and makes it unique to her style. It's probably one of the best versions I have heard. Great effort considering she was recording the song with one microphone.