They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
Words & Music: Charles D. Tillman, 1908. Appeared in The Revival No. 6 (Atlanta, Georgia: Charlie Tillman, 1910), number 92 (🔊 pdf nwc).
The words are adapted from You Can Shine, in The Heavenly Pilgrim and Other Poems, by D. Rand Pierce (Fitchburg, Massachusetts: D. Rand Pierce, 1909), pages 40–41.
Tho’ like others, you’re not gifted,
You can shine;
Every cloud can soon be lifted,
You can shine;
Jesus promised grace to aid you,
You can shine;
Trusting all to Him who made you,
You can shine.
Refrain
When your heart with love is glowing,
You will shine;
When His love you’re daily showing,
You will shine;
When this saddened world is brightened,
By the rays of light divine,
If you really have the blessing,
You will shine.
Tho’ you cannot be a leader,
You can shine;
Tho’ sometimes you are not needed,
You can shine;
You may sometimes be rejected,
You can shine;
If His light you have reflected,
Then you shine.
Refrain
When you are so tried and tested,
You can shine;
When you cannot be molested,
You can shine;
Trials may press hard upon you,
You can shine;
If His tender love has won you,
Shout and shine.
Refrain
Then when time is but a story,
You will shine
In a land of wondrous glory,
You will shine;
Jesus will be there to greet you,
You will shine;
Loved ones gone before will meet you,
Shout and shine.
Refrain