Luke 24:29
Words by Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
Music by William H. Monk, 1823-1889
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It has been stated that only the person who can face the prospect of death realistically is able to live this life with purpose and confidence. Such was the conviction of a rather obscure English pastor, Henry F. Lyte, when he
wrote the text for this hymn in 1847, shortly before his
own home-going. It has since become one of the favorite
hymns for Christians everywhere during times of sorrow and
deep distress.
Henry F. Lyte was born in Scotland on June 1, 1793. He was
educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and was a
member of the Church of England all of his life.
Throughout his lifetime he was known as a man frail in
body but strong in faith and spirit. His health was
continually threatened by asthma and tuberculosis. Despite
his physical frailties he was a tireless worker with an
established reputation as a poet, musician and minister.
It was he who coined the phrase, "It is better to wear out
than to rust out." Wherever he ministered, he was greatly
loved and admired by his people.
For the last twenty-three years of his life Lyte pastored
a poor parish church among fishing people at Lower
Brixham, Devonshire, England. During these later years his
health became progressively worse so that he was forced to
seek a warmer climate in Italy. For the last sermon with
his poor parishioners on September 4, 1847, it is recorded
that Lyte nearly had to crawl to the pulpit and his
message came as from a dying man. His final words made a
deep impact upon his people when he said that it was his
desire to "induce you to prepare for the solemn hour which
must come to all by a timely appreciation and dependence
on the death of Christ." On his way to Rome, Italy, he was
overtaken by death at Nice, France, and was buried there
in the English cemetery on November 20, 1847.
Lyte is said to have written this text along with his own
tune shortly before his last Sunday at the Lower Brixham
Church. It never became widely used in England until it
was first published in a book, Lyte's Remains, in 1850,
London. Its first appearance in America was in Henry Ward
Beecher's Plymouth Collection in 1855 with the notation
that "this hymn was meant to be read and not sung." Later
it was discovered by William Henry Monk, music editor of
the well-known Anglican Church hymnal, Hymns Ancient and
Modern, and it was included in the first edition of that
hymnal published in 1861.
Altogether William Monk personally contributed fifty
original tunes for the hymnal. It is said that in less
than half an hour he composed for Lyte's text a tune named
"Eventide." He was inspired by the beauty of a glorious
sunset while yet experiencing a deep personal sorrow. In
addition to his work as editor of this hymnal, considered
by hymnologists to be one of the most important hymnals
ever published, William Monk was also choir director and
organist at King's College, London.
William H. Monk also supplied the music for the hymn,
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious" and "The
Strife Is O'er".
Henry Lyte's text for this hymn was taken from the account
of Christ's appearance with the two disciples on the way
to Emmaus and their statement, "Abide with us: for it is
toward evening and the day is far spent" (Luke 24:29).
Although Lyte did not write a great quantity of hymns,
others from his pen include "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"
Quoted from "101 Hymn Stories" by Kenneth Osbeck. Kregel Publishers, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1982.
Look up this book by clicking on the "Go to Amazon" button.
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