This past Sunday, hearing a comment in our small group caused me to start singing in my head, “This Little Light of Mine.” So, I noted those five words to consider later. But I didn’t need to because I am still trying to get the song out of my head five days later. I can no longer remember what stimulated the songs’ confiscating my reasoning. However, I have profited from considering the childhood worship song in my current stage of life.
I have no memory of not knowing this little song. My three kids are probably the same because we sang it to them from the cradle. So, as I processed the song’s fresh arrival in my thinking, I decided to investigate who wrote the music and any verses I did not know.
The song was written by Harry Dixon Loes. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1892. Studied music at the Moody Bible Institute and the American Conservatory. He was an evangelistic preacher and music leader and taught at the Moody Bible Institute until he died in 1965. “This little light of mine,” written in 1920, is his most famous composition.
1 This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.
2 Ev’rywhere I go,
3 Jesus gave it to me,
Bob and Larry, of Veggietales, added two verses;
“Don’t let Satan blow it out.”
“I’ll let it shine till Jesus comes.”
I like the Veggietale version because it has a happy, bouncy beat. But my favorite performance was recorded by Odetta Homes. Odetta brings it from her soul. She recorded it on her album titled, “Odetta sings Folk songs.” (ODETTA – Sings Folk Songs -Vinyl Mono LP 1963 RCA LPM 2643 HUGO & LUIGI Folk.) Check out her video on YouTube.
Odetta was born December 31, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama. She died in New York City on December 2, 2008. Odetta was a classically trained musician who found her voice, and the guitar, during the 1960’s civil rights movement. This little song was among the spirituals she incorporated in her repertoire as she became an unofficial voice of the campaign. As a result, “This Little Light of Mine” became one of the anthems of the Civil Rights movement.
In 1993 Kay Mills authored a book whose title was from this hymn, “This Little Light of Mine.” The book is a biography of Fannie Lou Hamer. Hamer was the first black to register to vote in Ruleville, Mississippi, her hometown. When she began campaigning for civil rights, she was arrested and was savagely beaten by police. However, Fannie would not be deterred in her fight. Fannie started singing “This Little Light of Mine” to encourage those who fought alongside her.
Sometimes simple little songs of faith can carry enormous power to sustain and explain challenging times.
My memory of singing the song was from church camp. Every day ended with a worship service. I do not remember the sermons, but I do have beautiful memories of the exuberant singing of all the kids.
Then it was just a fun song to sing. But now, it has accumulated a considerable amount of truth for me. My light may indeed be small, but that does not mean that my light is insignificant. The truth is that it is not really my light at all. As I processed this blog thought, I found myself reconnecting with Philippians 2:12-16a.
Consider these four and a half verses over the next week. Better still, ponder them word by word, phrase by phrase, until these words from our brother Paul release all their light unto you.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. (CSB) (I added the emphasis.)
Photo – Sunset at The Stables at Creekside Glen, Partridge, Ky. (https://www.meridzo.org/the-stables)
Baldwin Heirlooms 