All earth was dark until you spoke

Authors:
Themes:
Scriptures:
  • Genesis 1:2-4
  • Matthew 12:28-29
  • Matthew 5:14-16
  • Luke 17:21
  • John 1:4-5
  • John 8:12
  • John 9:5
  • Romans 5:5
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
  • 2 Corinthians 4:6
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
  • Ephesians 5:8
  • Philippians 2:15-16
  • 1 John 4:18
Book Number:
  • 617

All earth was dark until you spoke,
then all was light and all was peace.
Yet still, O God, so many wait
to see the flame of love released.

Light to the world, O Light of man,
kindle in us a mighty flame,
till every heart, consumed by love,
shall rise to praise your holy name.

2. In Christ you gave your gift of life
to save us from the depth of night.
O, come and set our spirits free
and draw us to your perfect light.

3. Where there is fear may we bring joy
and healing to a world in pain.
Lord, build your kingdom through our lives
till Jesus walks this earth again.

4. O, burn in us that we may burn
with love that triumphs in despair.
And touch our lives with such a fire
that souls may search and find you there.

© 1986 Harper Collins Religious / Adm, by Song Solutions CopyCare
John Daniels and Phil Thomson

The Church - Evangelism and Mission

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Tune

  • Lights To The World
    Lights To The World
    Metre:
    • LMD (Long Metre Double: 88 88 D)
    Composer:
    • John Daniels and Phil Thomson

The story behind the hymn

The first substantial book to carry this composition seems to have been Songifts in 1986 (the copyright date) followed by MP2 and Carol Praise a year later. But the last of these adopted the form ‘The earth was dark …’, which 3 other Jubilate collections also used; in later MP edns the song appears twice; in the 1999 compilation, for example, as 8 (‘All …’) and 643 (‘The …’). Both occasions are labelled ‘Spirited’, with words and music credited jointly to John Daniels and Phil Thomson, and the arrangement of 8 to Christopher Norton. This version has now been included in several books. The tune is LIGHTS TO THE WORLD, and this title (from its chorus) is also given to the whole piece. It is the most substantial text from its author/composers.

A look at the authors

John Daniels and Phil Thomson

See separate entries for John Daniels and Phil Thomson

Thomson, Phil

He has been writing songs, alone or with John Daniels, since the 1980s. His best known, included here and known also as ‘Light [or Lights] to the world’ appeared in Glory to God (1994), and in the MP series where his surname is given as Thompson. No.617.