Lyrics: Peter Yarrow
Music: Peter Yarrow
Sung by Jeannette Ferber with Phil Lesh and the Terrapin Family Band for Hanukkah 2014.
Light one candle for the Maccabee children
With 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
But 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
Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we 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 hearts
[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
That we cry out they've not died in vain
We have come this far always believing
That justice would somehow prevail
This is the burden, 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