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Jesus, the Light of the World

Representative Text

1 Hark! the herald angels sing.
Jesus, the light of the world.
Glory to the newborn King,
Jesus, the light of the world.

Refrain:
We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light.
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh, shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the light of the world.

2 Joyful, all you nations, rise.
Jesus, the light of the world.
Join the triumph of the skies.
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]

3 Christ, by highest heav'n adored.
Jesus, the light of the world.
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]

4 Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace.
Jesus, the light of the world.
Hail, the Sun of righteousness!
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]

Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #277

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Author (stanzas): Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >

Author (refrain): George D. Elderkin

Almost nothing is known about George D. Elderkin (b. 1845; d. 1928). There was a George D. Elderkin Publishing Company in Chicago which published four collections of gospel hymns entitled The Finest of the Wheat. Book Three (1904) includes 259 songs, including music by both George D. and George W. Elderkin, “for prayer and evangelistic meetings, church and missionary services, Sunday schools and young people’s societies,” and was edited by Geo. D. Elderkin, C. C. McCabe, Wm. J. Kirkpatrick, H. L. Gilmour, G. W. Elderikn, and F. A. Hardon.” It was hardbound, and sold for 30 cents per copy, postpaid. Emily Brink Go to person page >

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Text Information

First Line: Hark the herald angels sing, Jesus the light of the world
Title: Jesus, the Light of the World
Author (stanzas): Charles Wesley
Author (refrain): George D. Elderkin
Meter: 7.7.7.7 with refrain
Language: English
Refrain First Line: We'll walk in the light, beautiful light
Copyright: Public Domain
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Tune

WE'LL WALK IN THE LIGHT

In his publications, Elderkin claimed only to be the arranger of the tune. Some scholars, such as Carl Daw (Glory to God: A Companion, 2019), have noted possible evidence of Elderkin merely publishing a traditional camp-meeting tune for the first time. The text of the refrain is an alteration of Fan…

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Timeline

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Instances

Instances (1 - 16 of 16)
Text

African American Heritage Hymnal #217

African American Heritage Hymnal #217
TextPage Scan

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #112

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #112
Text

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #129

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #129
Text InfoTextFlexScoreAudio

Glory to God #127

Glory to God #127
Text

Hymns of Promise #159

Hymns of Promise #159
Text

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #274

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #274
TextFlexScoreAudio

Lift Up Your Hearts #100

Lift Up Your Hearts #100
Text

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #277

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #277
Text

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #550

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #550

Santo, Santo, Santo #103

Santo, Santo, Santo #103
TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #111

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #111
Text

The New Century Hymnal #160

The New Century Hymnal #160
TextPage Scan

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #81

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #81
TextPage Scan

This Far By Faith #59

This Far By Faith #59
Text

Total Praise #216

Total Praise #216
Text

Zion still Sings #62

Zion still Sings #62
Include 40 pre-1979 instances
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