Hive Open Mic Week 149: Jesus, the Light of the World (Cover, G.D. Elderkin, 1890)

This Christmas song has a long and beloved history, especially in the African American church which has adopted it, but it all began when songwriter George D. Elderkin was listening one day to a song by his peer Fanny Crosby with the repeated line, "Jesus, the Light of the World," and then heard Charles Wesley's much older "Hark the Herald Angels Sang" and thought, "Gee -- those two ideas actually go well together!" And, here we are, extending the history to Hive Open Mic!

Hark the herald angels sing,
Jesus, the Light of the World!
Glory to the newborn King,
Jesus, the Light of the World!

We will walk in the Light, beautiful Light,
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright!
Shine all around us by day and by night --
Jesus, the Light of the World!