Jenkins was born in Neath, Wales, where she and her sister Laura were raised by their parents Selwyn John (1924–1995) and Susan. She has twin half-sisters from her father's first marriage, neither of whom she has met.
Six out of seven of Jenkins's studio albums reached number one in the classical charts between 2004 and 2008, selling a total of more than 4 million copies. After her first album, Premiere, made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano to date she became the first British classical crossover artist to have two number one albums in the same year. She is also the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical BRIT Awards: her second album, Second Nature, reached number 16 in the UK pop charts and was Album of the Year in the 2005 BRIT Awards.
On Sunday 25th November 2007, Katherine Jenkins' new album 'Rejoice' entered the 'Official UK Album Chart' at number 3. Katherine beat off stiff competition from the likes of Girls Aloud, Led Zeppelin, Spice Girls, Take That and Celine Dion.
Abide With Me
Katherine Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The darkness thickens. 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.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
But as Thou dwellst 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 and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth did 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, O, 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 then thy cross before my closing eyes;
Speak 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!
Katherine Jenkins's song "Abide with Me" is a hymn that speaks to the need for divine presence in times of despair and uncertainty. The lyrics call for God to stay with the singer during the darkness of life, when other sources of help and comfort fail. The song's opening lines, "Abide with me! Fast falls the Eventide; The darkness thickens. Lord, with me abide," suggest an urgency and desperation that increases throughout the verses.
The lyrics acknowledge the transience of life and the impermanence of earthly joys and glories. The singer sees change and decay all around and seeks the aid of an unchanging God. The singer pleads with God to abide not just momentarily but to dwell in a way that is familiar, condescending, patient, and free. The writer asks for God’s healing presence and compassion, as well as the company of a friend for sinners.
The writer shows much confidence in God: fear is replaced with thanks, tears with peace, and death with triumph. The song ends with a request for God's presence not only in life but also in death. The lyrics to Katherine Jenkins's song "Abide with Me" speak to the human need for spiritual guidance in the face of life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me! Fast falls the Eventide;
Stay with me! It's getting dark quickly;
The darkness thickens. Lord, with me abide
The darkness is becoming dense. Lord, stay with me
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
When other helpers desert me, and comfort fades away,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
You who helps the helpless, Oh, stay with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Life's little time passes away very quickly;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away:
The joys of earth become dull, and its glories vanish away:
Change and decay in all around I see.
I see change and decay in everything around me.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
Oh, You who does not change, stay with me!
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
I don't ask for a moment's attention, or a few words;
But as Thou dwellst with thy disciples, Lord,
But as You lived with your disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free, --
Familiar, humble, patient, free,
Come, not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come and stay with me permanently, not just visit.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
Please come not in terror, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Instead come kindly, with goodness and healing in your embrace,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Tears for every sorrow, compassion for every request.
Come, Friend of sinners and thus bide with me.
Come, Friend of sinners, and stay with me permanently.
Thou on my head in early youth did smile,
You smiled upon my head while I was young,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Even though I was rebellious and stubborn in the meantime,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
You never left me, even when I left You many times.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!
Stay with me until the end, Oh Lord!
I need thy presence every passing hour.
I need Your presence every moment of every hour.
What but thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?
What other than Your grace can defeat the Tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Who else can be my guide and support like You?
Through cloud and sunshine, O, abide with me!
Through the ups and downs of life, Oh, stay with me!
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;
With You by my side to bless, I fear no enemy;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Pain has no power, and tears no sting.
Where is death's sting? where grave thy victory?
Where is the power of death? Where is the victory of the grave?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
I can still be victorious if You stay with me.
Hold then thy cross before my closing eyes;
Hold Your cross before my eyes as I die;
Speak through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Speak through the darkness and guide me towards the heavens.
Heaven's morning breaks, and Earth's vain shadows flee!
The morning of eternity is coming, and the worthless shadows of earth will fade away!
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
In life and in death, Oh Lord, stay with me!
Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.