This spiritual is a response to Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Alma Blackmon (1921- see SDAH 69) has made a simplified adaptation of a well-known and much-used anthem by John W. Work (1901-1967; see SDAH 121), written in 1943 and published by Galaxy Music Corporation. Because of the eighth and sixteenth notes in this piece, the tempo should be rather deliberate.

There are actually four melodic versions of this spiritual. The reason for this phenomenon was the sale of slaves from one plantation to another and the structural and melodic alterations that resulted in the songs they carried with them. One version, lighter in mood and more rhythmic than this one, has been sung and enjoyed especially by young people. After consideration of the three melodies, the hymnal commitee decided to use this one, considered to be the authentic melody, as published by John W. Work, the great Black musician and authority on the spirituals.

📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.