"Oil in My Lamp", also known as "Give Me Oil in My Lamp" and "Sing Hosanna", is a traditional

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 ''hymn'' ...

based on the

Parable of the Ten Virgins The Parable of the Ten Virgins, also known as the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins or the Parable of the ten bridesmaids, is one of the parables of Jesus. According to , ten virgins await a bridegroom; five have brought enough oil fo ...

. The song has been recorded many times and was a hit in Jamaica in 1964 for

Eric "Monty" Morris Eric "Monty" Morris (born c.1942)Campbell, Howard (2016)Eric 'Monty' Morris to perform at Grace Jerk Festival, ''Jamaica Observer'', 12 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016 is a Jamaican ska singer, known for his work with the Skatalites an ...

, as well as appearing on

The Byrds The Byrds () were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole cons ...

' 1969 album ''

Ballad of Easy Rider "Ballad of Easy Rider" is a song written by Roger McGuinn, with input from Bob Dylan (although Dylan is not credited as a co-writer), for the 1969 film, ''Easy Rider''. The song was initially released in August 1969 on the ''Easy Rider'' soundt ...

'', and also as a single (on the B side of Ballad of Easy Rider, Columbia 44990).

Lyrics

Verse: Give me oil in my lamp, Keep me burning, Give me oil in my lamp, I pray! Give me oil in my lamp, Keep me burning, Keep me burning Till the break of day. Chorus: Sing
hosanna ''Hosanna'' () is a liturgical word in Judaism and Christianity. In Judaism it refers to a cry expressing an appeal for divine help.Friberg Lexicon In Christianity it is used as a cry of praise. Etymology The word ''hosanna'' (Latin ', Greek , ...
! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!

The song is sung in verse-chorus format; subsequent verses replace "oil in my lamp" with a different request, with the verb "burning" replaced with an appropriate verb for the request. Thus the second verse runs: "Give me joy in my heart, Keep me singing, Give me joy in my heart, I pray (etc.)", continuing with a third verse beginning "Give me peace in my heart, Keep me resting" and so on.

Cultural references

Football

The melody has been used in

football chant A football chant or terrace chant is form of vocalisation performed by supporters of association football, typically during football matches. Football chanting is an expression of collective identity, most often used by fans to express their p ...

s in the United Kingdom. For example, fans both of Rangers and of the England national team have chanted "

No surrender to the IRA "No Surrender (to the IRA)" is a chant sung to the tune of the hymn "Oil in My Lamp", expressing opposition to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, that has been used as a football chant by England fans. It was sung in pubs in the 1970s and 198 ...

" to it.

Music

The song Irk the Purists by English band

Half Man Half Biscuit Half Man Half Biscuit are an English rock band, formed in 1984 in Birkenhead, Merseyside. Known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, the band comprises lead singer and guitarist Nigel Blackwell, bassist and singer Neil Cr ...

uses the traditional tune from "Oil in My Lamp", but with a different set of lyrics which reference and contrast a number of pop bands with supposedly more credible artists.

References

{{Authority control The Byrds songs Christian hymns English children's songs