Light One (More) Candle

As we look forward to the last night of Hanukkah, let's take a listen to what some of us consider to be the best Hanukkah song every written, "Don't Let the Light Go Out," written by Peter Yarrow, and performed here by his famous folk music trio, Peter, Paul and Mary:




This rendition, Peter, Paul and Mary - Light One Candle (25th Anniversary Concert), was performed live in 1986, and the entire concert is now available on DVD:

And the lyrics are worth repeating here:

Light one candle for the Maccabee children
With thanks their light didn't die;
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied;
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice Justice and freedom demand;
And light one candle for the wisdom to know
That the peacemaker's time is at hand! 

Don't let the light go out,
It's lasted for so many years!
Don't let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears! 

Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe;
Light one candle for those who are suff'ring
A pain they learned so long ago;
Light one candle for all we believe in,
That anger not tear us apart;
And light one candle to bind us together
With peace as the song in our heart! 

Don't let the light go out,
It's lasted for so many years!
Don't let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears! 

What is the memory that's valued so highly
That we keep it alive in that flame?
What's the commitment to those who have died?
We cry out "they've not died in vain,"
We have come this far, always believing
That justice will somehow prevail;
This is the burden, This is the promise,
This is why we will not fail! 

Don't let the light go out,
It's lasted for so many years!
Don't let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears! 

Don't let the light go out!
Don't let the light go out!
Don't let the light go out!

And with Hanukkah almost over, let's keep that flame burning, and carry that illumination with us, wherever we go!