I've Seen The Golden Sunshine (I've Seen the Light)

This cheerful (some may even say cheesy) children's hymn is about nature, faith and friendship with Jesus.  It can also be used at Harvest celebrations.

It was first published in "Someone's Singing Lord - Hymns and Songs for Children" by A&C Black Publishers in 1970. This book was widely used in school assemblies in England, and it seems that this particular song is remembered by some people, who have been teaching it to their children.

According to Someone's Singing Lord, the song was written / composed by English film-maker Benny Litchfield (d 1989) and comedian / host Cecil Victor Manser, whose pseudonym/stage-name was "Cheerful Charlie" Chester (1914-1977) - ref.

More recently, it was included in the Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book, published by Canterbury Press, Norwich, 2004.  This is still available (link below) and appears to be the only source of sheet music for the song.

It is set to a tune that some people have called FRIEND OF JESUS, FRIEND OF MINE also attributed to Litchfield and Chester. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes of the melody are F G A_ A A A A c B A G_ A G F E with accompanying chords F / C. 


Image from PublicDomainPictures




Downloads

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Examples

Singer with band, onscreen lyrics, professional recording:


Singer, unaccompanied:


Instrumental - backing track, with on-screen lyrics:

I Have Seen the Golden Sunshine from Macduff Minister Videos on Vimeo


Instrumental, piano:


Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:
1. I have seen the golden sunshine,
I have watched the flowers grow,
I have listened to the song birds
and there's one thing now I know:
they were all put there for us to share
by someone so divine,
and if you're a friend of Jesus, (clap x 4)
you're a friend of mine.

Chorus
I've seen the light, I've seen the light,
and that's why my heart sings.
I've known the joy, I've known the joy
that loving Jesus brings.

2  I have seen the morning sunshine,
I have heard the oceans roar,
I have seen the flowers of springtime,
and there's one thing I am sure:
they were all put there for us to share
by someone so divine,
and if you're a friend of Jesus, (clap x 4)
you're a friend of mine.

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KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1. I have seen the golden sunshine,
I have watched the flowers grow,
I have listened to the song birds
and there's one thing now I know:
they were all put there for us to share
by someone so divine,
and if you're a friend of Jesus, (clap x 4)
you're a friend of mine.

Chorus
I've seen the light, I've seen the light,
and that's why my heart sings.
I've known the joy, I've known the joy
that loving Jesus brings.

2  I have seen the morning sunshine,
I have heard the oceans roar,
I have seen the flowers of springtime,
and there's one thing I am sure:
they were all put there for us to share
by someone so divine,
and if you're a friend of Jesus, (clap x 4)
you're a friend of mine.

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