This Little Light of Mine facts for kids
"This Little Light of Mine" is a very famous gospel song. People sing it all around the world. No one knows for sure who wrote it first. Some stories say Harry Dixon Loes wrote it for children in the 1920s. But he never said he did, and his workplace agreed he was not the writer. Later, people like Zilphia Horton and other activists used it. They sang it during the Civil Rights Movement.
What the Song Means
Many people believe the song's message comes from the Bible. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers they are "the light of the world." He says people should let their light shine for others to see. This means showing good deeds and helping people.
The song's words do not mention God or Jesus directly. So, it can also mean a wish to be a good person. It can be about trying to make the world a better place. It's about letting your own goodness shine brightly.
How the Song Was Used
The song has been sung by many artists over the years. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as the "Godmother of Rock 'N' Roll," sang it in 1960. Ray Charles made a different version called "This Little Girl of Mine" in 1956. The Everly Brothers also recorded this version.
The song often comes with hand movements for kids to learn. It became a powerful song for the Civil Rights Movement. People like Zilphia Horton and Fannie Lou Hamer helped make it an anthem. Bettie Mae Fikes sang a very famous version.
Many groups have recorded "This Little Light of Mine." The Kingston Trio included it on their 1962 album College Concert. The Seekers put it on their 1964 album Hide & Seekers. It also became a popular children's song. Raffi recorded it in the 1980s for his album Rise and Shine. You can find it in many Christian children's song books.
The song has been used in important moments. Odetta and the Boys Choir of Harlem sang it on TV. This was on the Late Show with David Letterman after the events of 9/11 in 2001. In 2018, people sang it to stand up against white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia.
"This Little Light" was on Hoyt Axton's 1963 album. The band LZ7 took their version of "This Little Light" to number 26 on the UK music charts. The song is also in the 1994 movie Corrina, Corrina. It stars Whoopi Goldberg and Ray Liotta.
In 2018, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose this song. It was played at the end of their wedding in May.
