> This isn't something that people in their teens or twenties, or even thirties for that matter, tend to think about. I know I've never really thought about it.
>
> I know I'd probably want a hymn sung at my funeral. My best guess would be, "Abide With Me." That's currently my favorite hymn. The first verse goes:
>
> 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, O abide with me!
>
> This hymn has a beautiful, haunting melody that nearly brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it. It was written by Henry F. Lyte, a Methodist minister, in 1847--just a few months before his death. The words have actually been set to more than one melody, but the one I am thinking of is called "Eventide."
>
> The words to this hymn just seem wonderfully appropriate for a funeral or, "homegoing" as we call them in my church.
>
> 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 need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour;
> What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
> Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
> Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!
>
> Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
> Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
> Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee!
> In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
>
> Grishny

Wow. I've never heard of it before, but I love the words to that hymn. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any music for it online that matches your description. I've got a hymnal here at home that has "Eventide" as the music for the hymn, though, so maybe I can get my wife to pick it out on the keyboard for me.

Iss "earth's joys grow dim" achar