Rhizome

While I was burning a CD of Peter, Paul, and Mary songs for my seven month-old daughter I ran across a song titled "Light One Candle." I think I'm going to be singing this song to myself a lot over the next four years, even though it was written by Peter Yarrow primarily for Chanukah. It has a resonance that transcends that particular holiday. I thought I'd post the lyrics to the song because I find them so inspirational. I've been humming the tune to myself for several days now.

Light one candle for the Maccabee children
Give thanks that 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
When the peacemaker's time is at hand!

chorus:
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. (2)

Light one candle for the strength we all need
To never become our own foe!
And light one candle for those who are suff'ring
Pain we learned so long ago!

Light one candle for all we believe in,
Let anger not tear us apart!
And light one candle to bind us together
With peace as the song in our heart!

(chorus)

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
When we cry out they've not died in vain,

We have come this far, always believing
That justice will somehow prevail!
This is the burning. This is the promise,
This is why we will not fail!

(chorus)

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