Scripture Verse

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

Introduction

Words: Ka­tha­rine O. Bark­er, in Hymns of Faith and Praise, by Da­ni­el Tow­ner (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Lo­renz Pub­lish­ing, 1901), num­ber 120.

Music: Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Daniel Towner (1850–1919)

Lyrics

I am only a toil­er of hum­ble es­tate,
And oft­en at fault may be;
But Thou, in Thy mer­cy
So lov­ing and great,
Canst let Thy light shine thro’ me.

Refrain

Let Thy light shine thro’ me,
Let Thy light shine thro’ me;
O strength­en my faith,
New cour­age in­spire,
And let Thy light shine thro’ me.

I am only a keep­er of some­bo­dy’s door,
And ev­er on watch must be;
To men, who in pass­ing
Shall en­ter no more,
O let Thy light shine thro’ me.

Refrain

I am only a wan­der­er ov­er life’s way,
Where ma­ny a wreck I see;
Grant, Lord, that my hand
May help some­one some day,
O let Thy light shine thro’ me.

Refrain

I am only a suf­fer­er, learn­ing to wait
Till I shall from earth be free—
O grant me an en­trance
At Hea­ven’s fair gate,
Lord, let Thy light shine thro’ me.

Refrain