this little light of mine i was told to let it shine but i stood idly by and watched that poor flame die i kept it from the bushel and brush away from the grasp of men i left that lantern in the light where my flame could blend right in i will bear this cross i will wear these thorns but i know all this dark won t swallow all the light i hide but still host her i ll learn to hold she will grow and grow she will shine so bright don t let satan blow it out the teachers always said but soon enough he figured out it wasn t worth his breath cuz this little light of mine is losing all its bright not to the dark i hold inside but to the dark kept from its sight below the smoke still burns a fire a small spark lives neath all these ashes promise me you ll blow until i glow red bright fiery red i ve learned to smolder all smoke but no flame ashes ashes we all fall down  i will bear this cross i will wear these thorns but i know all this dark won t swallow all the light i hide but still host her i ll learn to hold she will grow and grow she will shine so bright ashes to ashes we all fall down this little light of mine i was told to let it shine but i stood idly by 