Scripture Verse

I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Introduction

Words: Wal­ter O. Lat­ti­more, in Gos­pel Hymns No. 3, ed­it­ed by Ira San­key, James Mc­Gra­na­han & George C. Steb­bins (New York & Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Big­low & Main & John Church, 1878), num­ber 6.

Music: Lat­ti­more Ira D. San­key, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Lat­ti­more (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Ira D. Sankey (1840–1908)

Lyrics

Long in darkness we have waited,
For the shining of the light;
Long have felt the things we hated,
Sink us still in deeper night.

Refrain

Blessèd Je­sus, loving Sav­ior!
Tender, faithful, strong and true,
Break the fetters that have bound us,
Make us in Thy­self anew.

Now, at last, the Light appeareth,
Jesus stands upon the shore;
And with tender voice, He calleth,
Come to Me and sin no more!

Refrain

Nothing have we, but our weakness,
Naught but sorrow, sin and care;
All within is loathsome vileness,
All without is dark despair.

Refrain

All our talents we have wasted,
All Thy laws have disobeyed,
But Thy goodness now we’ve tasted,
In Thy robes we stand arrayed.

Refrain

Thou hast saved us—do Thou keep us,
Guide us by Thine eye divine;
Let the Ho­ly Spi­rit teach us,
That our light may ever shine.

Refrain