LYRICS

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, let it shine.

Everywhere I go I’m gonna let it shine; Everywhere I go I’m gonna let it shine, Everywhere I go I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Even when I’m afraid I’m gonna let shine; Even when I’m afraid I’m gonna let shine, Even when I’m afraid I’m gonna let shine, let it shine, let it shine, 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,  This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine (x3)

He Lives
(1933)

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”
1 Corinthians 15:14

Hymn Background:

 “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”  That question and a dreadful sermon inspired this hymn. 

Alfred Henry Ackley was born in Pennsylvania in 1887. He showed great promise as a child. His musician father personally tutored him before sending him to New York City to study music.  From there, it was on to the Royal Academy of Music in London.  Alfred then returned to the States to attend Westminster Seminary in Maryland and was later ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in 1914.  After pastoring a church in his home state, Alfred was called to a congregation in California.

It was there in 1932 that Alfred met a Jewish man to whom he began witnessing.  But the man resisted the Christian faith, saying,  “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”

That statement played in Alfred’s mind as he prepared his Easter Sunday message.  Rising early to prepare for the day, he flipped on the radio as he shaved and was astonished to hear a famous liberal preacher in New York say:  “Good morning— it’s Easter! You know folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not.  As far as I am concerned, His body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb.  The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!”

Alfred wanted to fling the radio across the room.  “It’s a lie!” he exclaimed.  His wife rushed into the bathroom asking why he was shouting so early in the morning.  “Didn’t you hear what that good-for-nothing preacher said?” he replied.

That morning, Ackley preached with great vigor on the reality of Christ’s Resurrection, and he did the same at the evening service.  But later that night, he was still bothered by his friend’s question and the morning’s radio sermon.  “Listen, here, Alfred Ackley,” his wife said at last. “It’s time you did that which you can do best.  Why don’t you write a song about it and then maybe you’ll feel better?”

Alfred went to his study, opened his Bible, and reread the Resurrection account from Mark’s gospel.  A thrill went through him, and he began writing the words to “He Lives!”  A few minutes later, he was at the piano putting it to music, not dreaming it would become one of the church’s most triumphant Easter hymns.

He Lives

LYRICS:

1. I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever others say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, He’s always near.

Refrain:  He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!!

2. In all the world around me I see his loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing will come at last.  

Refrain

3. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Refrain

There’s Something About That Name