Light One Candle in the Dark

Music and Words by Shawn I. Zevit, 1994)

A song for Hanukkah, for spiritual rededication, for justice and for liberation of all peoples.

Huddled here the shadows dance against the wall,

The dark’s embrace has come to call;

We gather tightly in the inner space

The prayer is whispered face to face...

into the nightfall.

We will not stand for mindless tyranny

To no stone throne would we bend a knee

We take the sword into oppression’s heart

No callous threat can tear us apart

from our God.

Light one candle in the dark

for the miracles of old,

Light one candle in the dark

for the stories yet untold,

Light one candle in the dark

for the hope that will not die,

For freedom’s never-ending spark,

Light one candle in the dark.

Today we stand blessed by being free,

Protected by your wings of liberty;

And yet there’s places where blood and oil pours about;

Cannot hide while others’ lights go out... and still be free.

Ma-oz tzur yeh-shu-a-tee

L’cha na-eh li-sha-bey-ach.

Tee-kon beyt ti-fil-a-tee

Vi-sham to-dah ni-za-bey-ach.

Rock of Ages, let our song

Praise your saving power;

You amid the raging throng

Were our sheltering tower

Music and Words by Shawn I. Zevit, 1994