Helvey - "This Little Light of Mine" (Grace Mott, soprano)

SOLO "This Little Light of Mine"
(Traditional Spiritual, arr. Howard Helvey, 2009)
Grace Mott, soprano; Dale Morehouse, piano
St. John's Methodist - Kansas City, MO
March 13, 2022
We know "This Little Light of Mine" as a beloved children's tune, recognized around the world. But it's also a spiritual, which was transformed by the nation's civil rights movement into an anthem of singular power. And the song has the same impact in today's times, where demonstrators still leverage its message to push back against injustice. Most recently, it has been sung by advocates of the #MeToo movement. The song takes its theme from some of Jesus's remarks to his followers. Matthew 5:14-16 of the King James Version gives: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." The parallel passage in Luke 11:33 gives: "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.” Mizzou alum Howard Helvey provides the rollicking arrangement.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine. (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!