Abby B. Hyde

Abby B. Hyde (, Bradley; 1799–1872) was an American hymnwriter, who wrote the lyrics to at least 52 hymns. At an early age, she started writing poetry, and subsequently, sacred hymns. Some of these were first published without her name.

Her Christian hymns were strongly evangelistic in tone, but unlike many hymns of that period which portrayed the anguish of hell and sought to terrify sinners into repentance, hers were more moderate and were marked by a calm persuasiveness which made them effective. In her day, nearly fifty of her poems were being sung in the U.S. It was to Asahel Nettleton's Village Hymns, 1824, and to Elias Nason's Collection, 1857, that the greater part of her hymns were contributed. Smith included Hyde's "Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray" in his Songs from the Hearts of Women: One Hundred Famous Hymns and Their Writers (1903).

She had a frail constitution, and her health from childhood was delicate.

In 1831, the Hydes removed to Ellington, Connecticut, where Rev. Hyde had charge of the Congregational Church. This was the home of Phoebe Hinsdale Brown when she wrote, "I love to steal awhile away". It was here that the two women met and formed an acquaintance which continued for many years.

On July 22, 1835, Rev. Hyde became pastor of the Evangelical Trinitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. Subsequently, they removed to Becket, Massachusetts. In 1849, they returned Bolton for ten years more of pastoral service, till Rev. Hyde resigned his charge at the age of 70. Lastly, they lived at Vernon, Connecticut (1860–1865), until the death of Rev. Hyde.

A few of Hyde's pieces can be highly commended, but many changes have taken place in hymnology, and only two of her hymns were admitted in the more modern hymnals. One of her earlier hymns, "And Canst Thou, Sinner, Slight", was once popular in the U.S., and was favored with places in several hymnbooks in Great Britain. The other hymn, "Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray", is a "Prayer for the Children of the Church", which is touching in sentiment. Hyde was especially fond of children, and as a pastor's wife probably her most effective work was done among them. "Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray" is her most beautiful hymn, and the one found most often found in the modern hymnbook. It was written in Hyde's early twenties, and begins with the lines:— Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray From Thy secure inclosure's bound,

Personal life The years of her widowhood were passed among her four surviving children (other four having died), and chiefly at the home of her only son, in Andover, Connecticut, where she died on April 7, 1872, and was buried at Ellington Center Cemetery, Ellington, Connecticut.

Selected works Contributor Hymns & Sacred Songs for the Monthly Concert, by Leonard Bacon, 1823 Village Hymns, by Asahel Nettleton, 1824 Congregational Hymn Book, by Elias Nason, 1857