Stand by Me (Charles Tindley)

I’ve often reflected on Ben E King’s ‘Stand By Me’. Yesterday I learnt that King was inspired by a hymn written in 1905 by Charles Tindley… that I’d previously associated with Elvis Presley.

Tindley (1851 – 1933) was an African-American minister.  His father was a slave; his  mother was free, so was born a free man. He educated himself and became a Methodist minister. He was a captivating preacher, often referred to as ‘The Prince of Preachers’. Tindley founded one of the largest Methodist congregations in Philadelphia drawing people of multiple races to his church. He always took an active role in caring for the people in his community.

Tindley was a songwriter and composer of many gospel hymns that often came from his preaching ministry. He’s recognized as one of the founding fathers of American gospel music. His song ‘I’ll Overcome Someday’ is the basis for the Civil Rights song ‘We Shall Overcome’.

Elvis’ ‘Stand by Me’ only had two verses; Tindley’s original had five:

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
When I do the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
When my foes in battle array, undertake to stop my way,
thou who saved Paul and Silas, stand by me.

When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me.

Stand by Me is a hymn that speaks of the life’s hardships. The troubles and trials that Tindley wrote of as a poor black man in the US 150 years ago put my problems into perspective. This hymn is a humble acknowledgement that I can’t cope alone.

It speaks of a powerful, all-knowing and totally dependable God. Above all it’s a prayer that recognises that in my weakness I need this God, Tindley’s God, standing by me in whatever I face. And I continue to learn that God’s presence can transform the darkest times.