No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11:33
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., in Standard Songs, Special Edition (Richmond, Virginia: Presbyterian Committee of Publication, 1900).
Music: Adam Geibel, Uplifted Voices (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Adam Geibel Music, 1901), number 8 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a better photo of Oatman,
Standing like a lighthouse
On the shores of time,
Looking o’er the waves
Of darkness, sin, and crime,
Open up your windows,
There’s a work sublime,
Let the Gospel light shine out.
Refrain
Let the Gospel light shine out;
Let the Gospel light shine out;
Keep your lamp in order,
Trimmed and burning bright—
Let the Gospel light shine out.
There are human shipwrecks
Lying all around,
O, what moral darkness
Everywhere is found;
Warn some other vessels
Off from dangerous ground,
Let the Gospel light shine out.
Refrain
Do not let the bushel
Cover up your light;
Keep your lamp in order,
Trimmed and burning bright;
Try to be a blessing,
Brighten up the night,
Let the Gospel light shine out.
Refrain
Try to live for Jesus,
Till this life is o’er,
For along this pathway
You will pass no more;
Till He bids you welcome
On the other shore,
Let the Gospel light shine out.
Refrain