Here is the text of two of Joshua Chamberlain's favorite hymns. They were both sung at his funeral service at First Parish Church, at Brunswick, ME, on February 27, 1914.
This is a photo of Chamberlain's grave in Pine Grove Cemetery, taken by Tim Goodling, a gentleman who used to live in Brunswick, ME.
"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.
"Swift in the close ebbs our 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 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 Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine thru 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."
This is another picture taken by Tim Goodling, of Chamberlain's gravestone at Pine Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, ME. The flowers on it are absolutely lovely!
"Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me:
Still all my song shall be, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.
"Tho' like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.
"There let the way appear, steps unto Heaven,
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given.
Angels to beckon me, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.
"Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stormy griefs, Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.
"Or if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon and stars forgot, upward I fly.
Still all my song shall be, nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee."
I can't help but think of Chamberlain, when I read the words, or hear the music. Especially given the severity of the wound he suffered at Petersburg, VA, in June 1864. To have survived as long as he did, given the surgical techniques and medical care of the day, is nothing short of a miracle.
I want to thank Tim, for his kindness and generosity, in sending me the above photos. Please do not use without emailing him for permission. Thanks.
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