I honestly can’t remember when I first learned “Jesus Bids Us Shine”. I know I’ve known it from childhood and suspect I learned it from my parents or grandparents in a church meeting.
When I looked it up, I found that it has been around for almost 150 years. First published in a children’s magazine in 1868, it is a good reminder to me even now to do what I can to shine for Jesus as I live my ordinary, every day life.
Jesus Bids Us Shine Susan B. Warner, 1868
Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, first of all for Him;
Well He sees and knows it if our light is dim;
He looks down from heaven, sees us shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around,
Many kinds of darkness in this world abound:
Sin, and want, and sorrow—we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine. Public Domain
According to Wikipedia, “This Little Light of Mine” was written by composer and teacher Harry Dixon Loes around 1920. Loes studied at the Moody Bible Institute and the American Conservatory of Music and was a musical composer and teacher. “This Little Light of Mine” is often thought of as a Negro spiritual; however, it does not appear in any collection of jubilee or plantation songs from the nineteenth century.
I learned this song in our church, where we were ever thankful for songs that had motion with them to break up the monotony of sitting for long periods of time. I like the simplicity of it. It is a good message written in a way that little people can understand. The repetition and hand motions make this an excellent song for little ones.
The first YouTube link is for a recording with words and melody as I learned the song. The second video is slightly different words, but has hand motions if you want a visual.
This Little Light Of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This fun song was one we sang in our home church when I was very small. The main verse is simple, and even little children can sing it.
Some of the subsequent verses proved a challenge for me as a young child. I could not get all the big words to tumble out of my mouth fast enough to keep up with the song. I remember the triumph when I could finally manage it.
I’ll type up all the verses I remember from my early childhood. My favorite of all is the last one. The one I had the most trouble being able to sing. For more fun verses, check out the Wikipedia article devoted to this song.
I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart George Willis Cooke
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart to stay
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart…
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart…
I’ve got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the depths of my heart… Public domain
This is another song I learned in the Good News Club my parents taught. My mom made large graphic song books to teach the songs to the children who attended the weekly club hosted in our home. Volunteers were selected from the group of gathered kids. They were invited to the front to hold the books and turn the pages to lead the remaining children through the songs.
I can still picture these illustrated songbooks. I asked my mom recently if she still had any of these songs so I could share photos. She couldn’t find them. 🙁
He Owns The Cattle On A Thousand Hills by John W. Peterson
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills
The wealth in every mine.
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and the starts that shine.
This is a fun, active song for little people. As kids we would “cast” and reel in as if fishing. Make motions to “follow” Christ. Put hand to ear as if listening and head down as if to sleep for rest.
The words and tune are simple and repetitive, making it an excellent song to teach to preschoolers. Enjoy!
I will make you fishers of men,
Fishers of men, fishers of men.
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.
If you follow Me,
If you follow Me.
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.
This week’s song has a special place in my heart. I learned it from my grandpa. He was a happy, joyful man who LOVED the Lord.
Walt and Erva Coffman, September 3, 2001
He was very friendly and would strike up a conversation with anyone he encountered.This song reminds me of him and the excellent example he set of joy and a positive outlook on life.
For a special treat today, I’m including audio of Grandpa Walt singing this song. It was recorded in my dad’s recording studio (Rolltop Music), in the beginning of 2002, only months before he died in June of the same year.
I still miss him.
The Smile Song
There are many troubles that will burst like bubbles
There are many shadows that will disappear.
When you learn to meet them
With a smile to greet them,
For a smile is better than a frown or tear.
You can smile when you can’t say a word,
You can smile when you cannot be heard;
You can smile when it’s cloudy or fair,
You can smile anytime, anywhere.
This is another favorite from the “mom sing” play list. I do some hand motions with this song, but mostly I try to roar the word “lions”. No matter that I do it every time, and they should expect it, the little ones still jump and laugh when we get to that part of the song.
Keep on singing….
Daniel was a man of prayer
Daniel was a man of prayer
Daily prayed he three times
Till one day they had him cast
In the den of lions
Even then in the den
Fears could not alarm him
God had shut the lions’ mouths
So they could not harm him.
I have a mental playlist of Sunday school songs that I’ve been singing to my kids for years. Once I start singing, I go through the whole list. If I miss one, the kids are sure to let me know.
Many years ago, my parents hosted and led a Good News Club (Child Evangelism Fellowship) in their home. Some of these songs are from that. Other songs were from Sunday School. Each one is a treasured memory that I have wanted to pass along to my kids.
I will feature one song per week, as time permits. I’ll post the lyrics and music if I can find it online, or perhaps a YouTube video. Be warned: Some of the videos are dorky, or of poor quality. I briefly considered making our own videos, but to do it legally (honoring copyrights) would be cost-prohibitive and/or would take an inordinate amount of time. Some songs have a couple different versions/wordings. I will share the version I remember from my childhood.
I hope that this will encourage other moms sing to their kids. Sing even if you don’t think you have a nice voice. Sing! Your kids will still enjoy it. My singing is just so-so, but my kids like it. In fact, once I start singing, it’s hard to stop. They constantly beg for “just one more”. You don’t have to sing these particular songs — just sing!
I write this with the desire to spark the memories of others, or to give options to someone who may be new to the idea.
Many of these songs have hand motions or some sort of action that accompany them. I think that is part of what makes them so delightful to young kids.
What can be gained by singing these and other songs to your kids? They learn stories from Bible. They are taught about God and his dealings with man. They are given encouragement for the Christian journey. Words set to music are easy to remember. Things learned by heart as a child seem to stick. Even though I learned these songs all before the age of 8 or 9 years old, for the most part, I can still sing them with no words or prompting.
I was going to go all OCD and give you my list in alphabetical order, but I’ve decided to be random instead. Eventually I’ll publish an index post with with titles listed alphabetically, so that anyone interested can readily find the song they want.
Only a boy named David,
Only a little sling,
Only a boy named David,
But he could pray and sing.
Only a boy named David
Only a rippling brook,
Only a boy named David,
And five little stones he took.
And one little stone went into the sling
and the sling went round and round
And one little stone went into the sling
and the sling went round and round.
And round and round and round and round
and round and round and round.
And one little stone went up in the air
and the giant came tumbling down.
