It was written by American singer, songwriter and performing musician, Hiram "Hank" Williams Snr (1923–1953) in 1947. It was inspired by an incident when his mother drove him home after a performance, and she saw the lights as they approached a local airport.
The tune and structure of the song are similar to "He Set Me Free" by Albert E. Brumley, which was first published in 1939 and released in March 1941 by the Chuck Wagon Gang. However Williams used biblical images from Gospels of Matthew and John, I Thessalonians and Revelation: and the text is clearly the personal prayer of a skilled wordsmith.
The combination of author and first publication-date means that the song is most-probably still copyright in the USA, but now in the public domain in countries / areas where copyright is based on 70 years after the writer's death.
Downloads
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Examples
Bluegrass band
Original Hank Williams recording - singer with band
Duet with band, professional recording
Choir and congregation, with piano
Singer with guitar-based band
Praise choir with directory and guitar-led band
Band - professional recording
Duet with band at a live worship event
Instrumental - pipe organ
Instrumental - electronic organ
Lyrics
1. I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn't let my dear savior in:
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
Chorus
I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more darkness, no more night.
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!
2. Just like a blind man, I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own:
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
3. I was a fool to wander and a-stray,
Straight is the gate and narrow the way:
Now I have traded the wrong for the right,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
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