abide with me

[Weston Blue]

I have no truck with religion at all, but singing Abide with Me at Wembley has nowt to do with religion and everything to do with tradition. I am sure the words will be on the screens, and I am sure there will be added poignancy for many as earlier posters have said.

I was there in 1981 (well the replay) and we got in tooo late to sing it. I am looking forward to singing my heart out when it when I have the chance this year. And without a doubt will be blubbing. In fact, I had a little tear well up with some of the posts in this thread.

Tradition, passion etc. What the FA Cup is all about. In fact, I miss It's a Cup Final Knockout!<br /><br />-- Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:26 am --<br /><br />

Those fans looking for omens, or relying on superstition, will be pleased to know that it has been confirmed that the Blues will be the ‘home’ side in FA Cup final on 14 May.


As we were in the semi-final win over United, City will be housed in the West dressing room and our fans at the same end.

The FA confirmed the news at a meeting today. There will be an announcement regarding tickets at the end of this week.

It has already been confirmed that Martin Atkinson will referee the final.Former X-Factor finalist and ‘I’m a Celebrity’ Queen of the jungle Stacey Solomon will be providing entertainment on the day. She will perform a pre-match set on the Wembley pitch before singing the National Anthem.

“I am so excited at the thought of performing at The FA Cup Final in front of millions of people around the world. Wow, what an amazing opportunity,” commented the Essex vocalist.

She will be joined by three-piece vocal group, Tenors Unlimited, who will perform the traditional FA Cup Final hymn, ‘Abide with Me’.

The above from the OS. Luckily it will be the "tenors unlimited" and not Stacy Solomon singing Abide with Me.

 

[kashmir]

I keep asking the nited fans at work for the lyrics and telling them i only have 4 weeks to learn it....always tell me to Fu** off...dont know why

 

[gh_mcfc]

Dreamt of singing this since 1981. Every cup final wishing it was us and wondering why we always balls up at Halifax, brighton, blackpool, brentford, forest, etc... etc... Well this time it is us and I will no doubt have a tear or two in my eyes.

Some one should get on the stokie site and make sure we get a joint effort going to make this really special.

 

[Mikeegrini]

And for those that have no idea what this about? Suppose i might as well be the first to ask.

Tried reading about it on the Fa's website but not really sure.

This is THE football hymn.

Was always sung last after all the other songs. A bloke in a white suit stood on a rostrum and led the crowd through the traditional stuff but when Abide with me was sung at the end it was a tear jerker.

It is right to sing it for Neil Young, and do it properly.

I'll be streaming like a child for sure, like many others I have memories of family passed away. Through the sobs I will be trying my best though.

Bit of background......

The singing of Henry Lyte's famous hymn "Abide With Me" has been part of FA Cup Final tradition since 1927.

That year's Final between Arsenal and Cardiff City was only the fifth at what was then the "new" Wembley Stadium. King George V and Queen Mary attended in those days and "Abide With Me" was known to be one of their favourite hymns. FA secretary Sir Frederick Wall arranged for it to be included on the songsheet.

It was the year in which community singing was introduced into the pre-match programme. The first conductor was TP Ratcliffe, who became famous as "The Man in White". He was followed after World War Two by Arthur Caiger, a London headmaster, and then by Frank Rea, who continued until the 1970s.

The melancholy words to "Abide With Me" were written by Henry Francis Lyte, a Devon vicar, in 1847. He completed them on the same day as he delivered his last sermon at the "All Saints" parish church in Brixham. Three weeks later, then in his mid-50s, he died of tuberculosis.

The hymn has become part of the ritual of Cup Final Day. Its deep, stirring sound seems to knit together different loyalties and backgrounds, providing a moment of unity before the battle to come.

"Hold now your 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."

 

[moorsideblue]

hairs on my neck stand up everytime i hear this song!

 

[mike o]

Mods can we make this a sticky. it would be absolute class for City fans to hold their scalves up and sing this. Great mark of respect both for the FA cup and all the blue lads and lasses who are no longer around to see the game.

THIS

Be a fitting tribute to the Allison and Young

 

[stonerblue]

I'd rather stick pins in me eye

 

[pride in battle]

It was played at my mothers funeral,she was the one that got me my first season ticket.
She waited up for me after the fa cup final replay in 1981 and that is 30 years to the day for this one.
God bless mum I miss you.

 

[51Chappie]

Last year I was fortunate enough to perform at the Festival of Remembrance -singing this, brought a tear to my eye; I was stood behind the war widows!

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u6MUTPz_hU&feature=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u6MUTPz ... re=related</a>

 

[yatesy94]

leave it to the professionals lads