Crusade for Christ in the Olympics with THIS in Opening Ceremonies.
Just before the "Parade of Nations" this was sung by a Scottish Diva.
Here are the lyrics before the Olympics (which to me were always promoted as Non-Religious and Non-Partisan display of Global Unity for the good of the young atheletes)
As a Christian I found it horribly offense to do this before Nations Parade who are NOT of the Christian Faith.
Here it is... See what YOU Think. I know that hymn. It might be appropriate in the USA or Great Britain as a "hymn in church"....but, NOT FOR and International Exhibiiton to truly embracy Inter-World Cooperation to work together.
It sounded to me like a call for "A NEW CRUSADE against the INFIDELS!"
Look for it if you are getting the USA "Delayed Feed." I saw it from BBC in "Real Time."
Be Alert for it if you are just sitting down to watch in USA!
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The hymn is a prayer for God to remain present with the speaker throughout life, through trials, and through death.
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 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.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, 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, Lord, 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 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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abide_with_Me
BACKGROUND:
Religious services
The hymn is popular across many denominations, and was said to be a favourite of King George V[3] and Mahatma Gandhi.[4] It is also often sung at Christian funerals. In the aftermath of the sinking of RMS Titanic, survivors reported that the Titanic's band played the hymn as the ship was sinking,[5] although detailed studies have identified other songs played by the band.
Military services
The hymn is sung at the annual Anzac Day services in Australia and New Zealand,[6] and in some Remembrance Day services in Canada[7] and the United Kingdom. It is also played by the combined bands of the Indian Armed Forces during the annual Beating Retreat ceremony held on 29 January at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, which officially marks the end of Republic Day celebrations.[4][8] A choral version of this hymn has been arranged by Moses Hogan.
MORE AT......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abide_with_Me
= new reply since forum marked as read
It's use goes back to 1927. See Muriel's post : http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1033650 You certainly can't compare football and rugby crowds at all.
Given that the Olympic Stadium is on West Ham's turf I suppose "I Am Forever Blowing Bubbles" might have been more apt.
Whether that would've gone down too well with the Greek athletes is a different matter.
might have brought the moment home to "people of all faiths" though. Wouldn't you think?
It's truly wonderful to watch WITHOUT COMMMERCIALS or inane comments.
Parse through this Google...as I'm trying to help...but, since I have my own Internet Box you can search for what you need. I'm not going to SPAM. (But...X-BOX, Apple TV or ROKU) allow you to watch International news..for Now...at least.
http://www.google.com/search?q=BBC+Olympic+Coverage&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US
fficial&client=firefox-a#q=BBC+Olympic+Coverage&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=rIb&rls=org.mozilla:en-US fficial&prmd=imvnsu&source=univ&tbm=nws&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=5S8TUOe8FNO50QHAjoGACg&ved=0CBUQqAI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=a4a6e439b5560e89&biw=1024&bih=605
Ignore that "smiley stuff" and just hit the "link" and you will probably find what you are looking for.
I've never seen the "sponsoring nation" take a religious viewpoint in an overt way.
Do you have some examples as to this?
before the "Nation Walk." There's a difference.
Sort of like playing "Star Spangled Banner" for USA Olympics but having Michelle Bachmann sing..."Abide With Me" before the "Nation Walk."
If Michelle Bachman sang it at the Olympics here in USA...perhaps more would be upset?
their own beliefs and music featured as the "Spirt of the Olympics?"
What if it was a country that harbored "Muslim Terrorists" and they had a video of a Bin Laden Suppoter singing a jihadist rally for their religion and because it was Pakistan or Afghanistan holding the Olympics it would just be just their "national tradition?"
I should have known better.
"backwards, forwards"... Whichever the way it rolls to get the job done... Why obsess?
If you'd read the OP you would have seen the lyrics. Cross...Crusaders...offensive to the delegations from other countries who have many different religions.
It's about International Competition. And a Spirt of Humanity and Respect for us all as the Global Community.
But, you don't get it..and therefore it's about "toilet paper."
Maypoles are as Pagan as you can get! Oh, and Glastonbury Tor is supposedly the site of King Arthur's burial. So, we'll let the Christians have their little hymns.
The hymn is about EMPIRE!
Haven't we had ENOUGH EMPIRE?
Why am I apologizing for posting about something so offensive to me!
