"Let the Lower Lights Be Burning" was inspired by this story that Dwight L. Moody told: “On a dark, stormy night, when the waves rolled like mountains and not a star was to be seen, a boat rocking and plunging, neared the Cleveland harbor. ‘Are you sure this is Cleveland?’ asked the captain, seeing only one light from the light-house. ‘Quite sure, sir,’ replied the pilot. ‘Where are the lower lights?’ ‘Gone out, sir.’ ‘Can you make the harbor?’ ‘We must, or perish, sir!’ And with a strong hand and a brave heart, the old pilot turned the wheel. But alas, in the darkness he missed the channel, and with a crash upon the rocks the boat was shivered, and many a life lost in a watery grave. Brethren, the Master will take care of the great light-house; let us keep the lower lights burning!”
lyrics
Brightly beams our Father’s mercy, From His lighthouse evermore.
But to us He gives the keeping, Of the lights along the shore.
Chorus
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman,
You may rescue, you may save.
~~~Chorus~~~
Dark, the night of sin has settled; Loud, the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing For the lights along the shore.
~~~Chorus~~~
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; Some poor sailor tempest tossed,
Trying now, to make the harbor,
In the darkness, may be lost.
~~~Chorus~~~
credits
from Songs From 7th Street,
released November 10, 2010
Public Domain
words & music by Philip P. Bliss
Born into a family of Gospel singers & musicians in South Bend, Indiana, David began singing & playing the piano as a small
child.
In the 1970's, his musical style was shaped by the acoustic rock artists of the time - and in the 1980's David played the local nightclub circuit as keyboardist/singer with the band Justus.
But God comes in places unlooked for - unexpectedly....more