"I'll Be a Sunbeam" (also called "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam") is a popular children's
Christian hymn
A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hy ...
composed by Nellie Talbot; it is sung to music composed in 1900 by
Edwin O. Excell.
Due to its age, the hymn has entered the
public domain
The public domain (PD) consists of all the creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply. Those rights may have expired, been forfeited, expressly waived, or may be inapplicable. Because those rights have expired, ...
in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. Published in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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by Excell as hymn number 137 in his ''Praises'' in 1905, the words and music were anthologized at least three more times in other
hymnal
A hymnal or hymnary is a collection of hymns, usually in the form of a book, called a hymnbook (or hymn book). Hymnals are used in congregational singing. A hymnal may contain only hymn texts (normal for most hymnals for most centuries of Chr ...
s before 1923. Virtually nothing is known about lyricist Nellie Talbot; attempts to search
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
records suggest that she may have been born in
Missouri
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...
in 1874 and was living in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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in 1910, but these identifications are speculative.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The ch ...
has
a children's primary program which includes Sunbeams (a class for 3-year-olds). The theme song to this class is, "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam."
Lyrics
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.
Refrain
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.
Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.
Refrain
I will ask Jesus to help me
To keep my heart from sin,
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.
Refrain
I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.
Refrain
Parodies
This song was parodied in 1987 as "
Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" by
The Vaselines
The Vaselines are a Scottish alternative rock band. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1986, the band was originally a duo between its songwriters Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, but later added James Seenan and Eugene's brother Charlie Kelly on b ...
; shortly thereafter they renamed it "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam". The latter version was covered by
Nirvana
( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
.
The hymn was also referenced in the lyrics of the song "Alibi" by
Elvis Costello ("Maybe Jesus wants you for a sunbeam?").
References
Hymn Time
External links
''I'll Be a Sunbeam''in
"Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" ''
Children's Songbook'', The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: words and music to first two verses
American Christian hymns
Children's songs
Primary (LDS Church)
Religious works for children
1900 songs
Songs about Jesus
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