A Brighter World 

“This Little Light of Mine” is a fanciful jingle that, in a few repetitive sentences, offers a mighty powerful suggestion. 

Here are some of the lyrics:

This Little Light Of Mine,

I’m gonna let it shine,

This Little Light Of Mine,

I’m gonna let it shine,

This Little Light Of Mine,

Yes, I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Sing Along

The song was written by Harry Dixon Loes around 1920 as a children’s song. 

In the 1950s and 60s, it was adopted by the Civil Rights Movement and is famously tied to Civil Rights leader, Fannie Lou Hamer. While being detained by police on her way back from attempting to register to vote with other members of her community, she began singing “This Little Light Of Mine.”

People did sing along on this and other spirituals during the Civil Rights Movement as a way of expressing unity as they fought for equal rights and freedom for everyone. 

The Song’s Simple Message Packs A Wallop!

Each person sharing our light helps us to appreciate and respect the little light that is different in each of us.

Wouldn’t it be a brighter world if we let our little light shine? Take a minute, strike a match in a very dark place, and see how the whole space is illumined. 

It doesn’t take much to turn darkness into light!

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