Pure is the fastest-selling international début classical album to date, and Westenra became an international star, aged 16, when the first of her international albums were released. In August 2006, Westenra joined the Irish group Celtic Woman and toured with them on their 2007 Spring Tour.
Westenra has performed for dignitaries around the world. She is the youngest UNICEF Ambassador to date and has contributed to charities around the world.
Hayley Westenra's music was featured prominently in the 2007-2008 Nintendo Wii game, Endless Ocean.
See also (references):
- Official website: www.hayleywestenra.com
- This bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_Westenra
Abide With Me
Hayley Westenra 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,
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.
Hayley Westenra's song "Abide With Me" is a hymnal that speaks to the inevitability of change and decay in the world around us. As the eventide falls and darkness deepens, we are reminded of this ever-present state of change. In times like these, when other helpers fail and comforts flee, we long for the help of the helpless - for the Lord to abide with us through our struggles.
The repetition of the phrase 'abide with me' throughout the song emphasizes this longing, as the singer recognizes that earth's joys grow dim and its glories pass away. However, despite the fact that everything around them changes and decays, there is one who does not - and to this one they turn, asking for the "Help of the helpless" to guide them through.
Towards the end of the song, we are reminded that our time on earth is fleeting, but we can take comfort in the fact that Heaven's morning is breaking, and that earth's vain shadows will flee. It is here, in the presence of this Heavenly light, that we ask for the Lord to abide with us in life, and in death.
Overall, the song's message is one of hope and faith in the midst of change and decay. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we can find strength in the Lord's unchanging nature to guide us through life's struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide,
Stay with me, the daylight is ending quickly.
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.
The darkness is getting stronger, please stay with me, Lord.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
When others cannot help and comfort goes away,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
You are the only help for those who cannot help themselves; please stay with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day,
Life ends quickly and suddenly,
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away,
The happiness of life becomes less bright and fades,
Change and decay in all around I see,
Everything around me is changing and slowly losing its beauty and strength,
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
You are the only one who never changes, please stay with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Please show me Your cross before I pass away,
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Make Your light shine during this dark time and show me the way up to Heaven.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee,
The morning of Heaven is coming, and the meaningless worries of Earth will disappear,
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Please stay with me, Lord, both in life and in death.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Francis Lyte, Will Henry Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeandoux1293
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, 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
O Thou who changest not, 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, abide with me
@z4bmwz4
How wonderful that people can sing this beautiful hymn at a sporting event and see so many folks joining along.
@joshsmith2911
Agreed however 85% of them in auditorium are looking at the screens for words
@katerinakemp5701
Lol your talking about a League Match final in the UK, not the US of.A.
@craigmcintosh7241
@Josh Smith so what!!!
@christianorr1059
Such a beautiful singer, Hayley Westenra is, in terms of both physical appearance and singing voice. Damn near impossible to not tear up when listening to her sing.
@stephanlehi6591
VFIRE
@joesmith-jb4ls
Haley always has a smile at the end and usually says thank you to the audience. What a class act!
@TRAVELLER.23
Her voice is incredible ❤️
@CosmicVantage
Beautiful, emotion-stirring rendition.
@mitchellsdaz
I am a hospice chaplain and I share this hymn with patients at the end of life more than any other song or writing. Perfect for any and every occasion! Beautiful job Hayley.