"Jesus Bids Us Shine" is a children's hymn with words by Susan Bogert Warner (1819-1885) and music by Edwin Othello Excell (1851-1921). It was first published in the children's magazine The Little Corporal in 1868. Actor Leo McKern was heard singing the famous last line "You in your small corner, And I in mine" in the comedic film Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher (1968).
Lyrics
Jesus bids us shine, With a pure, clear light, Like a little candle, Burning in the night. In this world is darkness, So let us shine-- You in your small corner, And I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, First of all for Him; Well He sees and knows it, If our light grows dim; He looks down from heaven, To see us shine-- You in your small corner, And I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, Then, for all around Many kinds of darkness In this world are found - Sin, and want, and sorrow; So we must shine, You in your small corner, And I in mine.
Susan Warner
See also
"You in Your Small Corner", a stage play, also televised in 1962
External links Jesus Bids Us Shine at The Internet Archive. Free download at Hymnswithoutwords.com