The Oak Ridge Boys - This Little Light of Mine Lyrics
Lyrics
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
The light that shines is the light of love
Lights the darkness from above
Its shines on me and it shines on you
And shows what the power of love can do
Im gonna shine my light both far and near
Im gonna shine my light both bright and clear
And when there's a dark corner in this land
Im gonna let my little light shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
On Monday he gave me the gift of love
Tuesday peace came from above
On Wednesday he told me to have more faith
On Thursday he gave me a little more grace
On Friday he told me to watch and pray
Saturday he told me just what to say
On Sunday he gave me the power of to let my little light shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
This little light of mine im gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
YEAH!
Video
This Little Light Of Mine - The Oak Ridge Boys (Lyrics)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Oak Ridge Boys offer a vibrant rendition of the beloved spiritual anthem, "This Little Light of Mine," released on January 1, 2008, as part of their compelling collection, *The Gospel Collection*. This timeless song, deeply rooted in American folk and gospel tradition, finds a renewed voice through the iconic quartet, who imbue it with their signature harmonies and a profound sense of spiritual conviction, urging all who hear to embody its enduring call to witness.
The inherent meaning behind "This Little Light of Mine" is a direct echo of Christ's teaching found in Matthew 5:14-16, where Jesus declares, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." The song is an affirmation of personal spiritual responsibility, a pledge to live out one’s faith visibly and without reservation. It is not about self-glorification, but rather about allowing the divine illumination within to break through the darkness of the world, much like Philippians 2:15 encourages believers to "shine as stars in the universe."
The Oak Ridge Boys’ interpretation thoughtfully expands upon this foundational premise, articulating that "The light that shines is the light of love, lights the darkness from above." This crucial clarification roots the source of this illuminating power not in human effort alone, but in God's divine love. As 1 John 4:8 affirms, "God is love," and it is this very essence of God that, when allowed to flow through us, dispels spiritual gloom. John 1:4-5 further elaborates on this truth, stating, "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The song thereby emphasizes that our ability to shine is directly proportional to our willingness to allow God’s love to radiate from within us, demonstrating "what the power of love can do," echoing Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35 to love one another so that all may know we are His followers. The commitment to "shine my light both far and near... bright and clear" and to illuminate "every dark corner in this land" underscores the active, missional imperative of the Christian life, a call to boldly share the hope we have received with everyone we encounter.
The song then embarks on a beautiful, allegorical journey through the days of the week, illustrating the daily spiritual nourishment and equipping necessary to consistently "let my little light shine." On Monday, the gift of love is received, a reminder of the foundational command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Tuesday brings peace from above, aligning with John 14:27, where Jesus offers His peace, a peace that "transcends all understanding" as described in Philippians 4:7. Wednesday introduces faith, an essential element for pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6) and for hearing His Word (Romans 10:17). Thursday acknowledges the blessing of grace, the unmerited favor of God through which we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9) and which is sufficient for us even in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Friday calls for vigilance with the instruction to "watch and pray," a direct admonition from Jesus in Matthew 26:41 to guard against temptation. Saturday offers guidance on "just what to say," a promise echoed in Matthew 10:19-20 that the Holy Spirit will provide the words when we are called to speak. Finally, Sunday culminates with the reception of "the power to let my little light shine," a potent reminder of the Holy Spirit's empowerment given to believers to be His witnesses, as promised in Acts 1:8. This progression masterfully paints a picture of spiritual growth and daily dependence on God, building grace upon grace, and discipline upon discipline, culminating in the overflowing ability to fulfill the Great Commission through our illuminated lives. The Oak Ridge Boys’ delivery of this timeless message serves as a powerful encouragement for all who seek to live out their faith with purpose and vibrancy, beckoning them to truly let their light shine.