Evie - One Small Child Lyrics
Lyrics
One small child in a land of a thousand,
One small dream of a Saviour tonight,
One small hand reaching out to the starlight,
One small city of life (One small city of life, one small city of life).
One King brining His gold and his riches,
One King ruling an army of might,
One King kneeling within incense and candlelight,
One King bringing us life, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
See Him lying, a cradle beneath Him,
See Him smiling, in the stall,
See His mother praising His father,
See His tiny eyelids fall.
One small light form the flame of a candle,
One small light from a city of might,
One small light from the stars in the endless night,
One small light from His face, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
See the shepherds kneeling before Him,
See the Kings on bended knee,
See the mother praising His father,
See the blessed infant sleep.
One small child in a land of a thousand,
One small dream in a people of might,
One small hand reaching out to the starlight,
One small Saviour of life. (One small Saviour of life, One small Saviour of Life)
Video
One Small Child
Meaning & Inspiration
Evie’s "One Small Child," released on April 19, 1977, as part of the album *Come On, Ring Those Bells*, is a profound meditation on the Nativity, crafted not merely as a song but as a devotional experience. The lyrics artfully weave a narrative that places the immense significance of Christ’s birth within an intimate and relatable human context. The song’s genius lies in its persistent emphasis on the "smallness" of the central figure – "one small child," "one small dream," "one small hand" – which, paradoxically, amplifies the colossal impact of His arrival. This deliberate contrast immediately evokes the humble beginnings described in the Gospels. The "land of a thousand" and a "people of might" serve as a backdrop to this singular event, underscoring that even in a world filled with vastness and power, a singular child carries the ultimate authority and promise. This echoes the prophetic anticipation of a Messiah who would come not with earthly fanfare but in quiet humility, as foretold in Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The song brilliantly contrasts the earthly expectations of kings and riches with the spiritual wealth brought by this "one King." The imagery of "gold and his riches" and "an army of might" refers to the worldly power and wealth often associated with royalty, but it is immediately juxtaposed with the King who kneels "within incense and candlelight." This profound shift points to a different kind of reign, one characterized by humility and sacrifice. The arrival of this King, who brings "life," directly aligns with Jesus' own declaration in John 10:10: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." The intimate glimpses of the infant – lying in a humble cradle, smiling in the stall, His mother praising His Father, and His tiny eyelids falling – create a powerful visual of the Incarnation. This is not a distant deity but a vulnerable human infant, underscoring the truth of God becoming flesh, as written in John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
The recurring motif of "one small light" is particularly striking. This light emanates from various sources – a candle flame, a city of might, the stars, and most importantly, from His face. This symbolizes the hope and salvation that the Christ child brings into the darkness of the world. The light from His face, in particular, speaks to His divine nature and His role as the spiritual illumination for all humanity. This resonates deeply with Jesus’ own words in John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The song’s culminating scenes of shepherds and Kings kneeling in adoration, mirroring the reverence of His mother, underscore the universal recognition of His divine identity, even from His earliest moments. The closing affirmation, "One small Saviour of life," encapsulates the entire message: that the seemingly insignificant birth of a child in Bethlehem was, in fact, the monumental act that offered salvation and eternal life to all who would believe. This ultimate fulfillment of prophecy, embodied in a single, humble infant, serves as a timeless reminder of God's extraordinary love and His redemptive plan for mankind.