"The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it."
                          ~ John 1:5

"Light in the Darkness"
words:  Tommy Brown & Bryan McFarland
music:  Bryan McFarland
© 2012 sasssafrasongs


In a fine little village along the seashore
Jonathan, Timothy and their wives
Though beside one another deep grudges they bore
"It's your fault!" - "Watch your mouth!" - "That is mine!"
Now their wives barely patient were the closest of friends
Seeking only some peace for the Yule
"We live near one another - you two must make amends!
Be at peace not at odds - you old fools!"
Yet when John shoveled snow on Tim's land that next day -
Came a fight...  Find the priest...  Father Glen...

Now to Glen the two wives their sad story they spun
Of their men and their hopes and their fate
And in silence Glen mused - knowing peace is hard won
He sat a while, pulled his beard, scratched his pate.
Father Glen said, “On Christmas Eve here at my barn
We will put on a contest for three.
Equal parts of the barn given to each of us -
Fill your part with whatever you see.
Then by dusk we will know if my garden you’ve won.
But, if I win: promise then... be true friends."

So in the fine little village along the seashore
Jonathan, Timothy - running 'round
Bales of hay, sacks of grain in the barn they did store
Fill it up... to the roof...  all they found...
All day long Father Glen did not even appear
But then just as the darkness was on
In his hand but a candle and a smile ear to ear
On his lips were the words of St. John

He knelt down, lit the candle & the light filled the barn.
From the crowd came a cheer.  He had won!
In the darkness the Light of the Christ overcomes
Shaking hands.  Best of friends.  From now on.
In our darkness the Light of Christ still overcomes
Peace on earth.  Hold the Light.  Let it shine.
Peace on earth.  Share the Light.  Let it shine.