Global interest in Boyle was triggered by the contrast between her powerful voice and her plain appearance on stage. The juxtaposition of the audience's first impression of her with the standing ovation she received after her performance led to an international media and Internet response. Within nine days of the audition, videos of Boyle — from the show, various interviews, and her 1999 rendition of "Cry Me a River" — had been watched over 100 million times, an online record. Despite the sustained media interest, she later finished in second place in the final of the show, behind dance troupe Diversity.
Boyle's first album, I Dreamed a Dream, was released on 23 November 2009, and has become Amazon's best-selling album in pre-sales. Its first single is a cover of the Jagger/Richards song "Wild Horses." The album includes "You'll See," "I Dreamed a Dream," and "Cry Me a River." According to Billboard, "The arrival of "I Dreamed a Dream" ... marks the best opening week for a female artist's debut album since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991."
Find more info on her album at Susan Boyle Music
Abide With Me
Susan Boyle 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
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me
The hymn Abide With Me by Susan Boyle is a beautiful depiction of an individual's plea for God's presence to abide with them amidst the fast-falling evening and deepening darkness of the world. The first verse calls out for the Lord's guidance and support to be with the individual when all other helpers and comforts fail. The singer acknowledges their human frailty and need for divine intervention as they seek comfort in the Lord's help. With the lines "Help of the helpless, O abide with me," it's clear that the individual has surrendered themselves to God with the faith that he will guide and comfort them through every hardship, even when there seems to be no other way forward.
As the hymn progresses to the second verse, the singer asks for the Lord to "Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes" and "Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies." This is a powerful request for the Lord's protection and guidance during the individual's dying process. The hymn becomes a beautiful representation of an individual's trust and faith in God's goodness and love, even in times of death.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
Stay with me, as the evening fast approaches
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide
As the darkness grows deeper, please stay with me Lord.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
If other helpers abandon me and comfort is out of reach
Help of the helpless, O abide with me
I ask for your help, O Lord, for I am helpless without it
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
As my eyes close for the last time, please let me see Your cross
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Guide me through the darkness and show me the path to the heavens
Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee
As morning breaks in heaven, everything that was once meaningless on earth shall fade away
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me
No matter the circumstance, please stay with me through life and in death
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robin Womphrey, Steve John Anderson, Clifford David Masterson, Susan Boyle, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind