The first verse is specifically for suitable for Epiphany or the first Sunday after Christmas when Christmas music is not used and the decorations have been taken down. The other verses are about more more general social-awareness / justice themes, meaning the song can be used at other times of the year by simply leaving the first verse out.
With irregular meter, the tune, also by Strathdee, is called LIGHT OF THE WORLD in some books. It has a 4/4 time signature and is in a major key. In F the first few notes are d dd c c B A.
Sheet music is available in the Strathdee's songbook In the Highest Glory: All Creation Sings - Carols for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, which can be purchased (via almost-instant download) from their website (link below).
The song was written by American United Methodist church
musician, composer and performing artist Jim Strathdee (b 1941), and first published in 1969 by Strathdee's
company, Desert Flower Music.
With irregular meter, the tune, also by Strathdee, is called LIGHT OF THE WORLD in some books. It has a 4/4 time signature and is in a major key. In F the first few notes are d dd c c B A.
Sheet music is available in the Strathdee's songbook In the Highest Glory: All Creation Sings - Carols for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, which can be purchased (via almost-instant download) from their website (link below).
Downloads
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Examples
Solo singer with guitar (some idiosyncrasies in the tune):
Church choir with piano accompaniment:
Jim and June Strathdee performing live:
Singers with piano-led backing:
Singer with light piano accompaniemnt - on-screen lyrics:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. The song starts with a four-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the four verses. A rough outline is:Chorus:
'I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!'
If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
1 When the song of the angels is stilled ..
2 To find the lost and lonely one ...
.
3 To free the prisoner from all chains,...
4 To bring hope to every task you do ...
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