The spiritual "This little light of mine" dates as early as 1931, as recorded by the Louisville Sanctified Singers ("God give me a light") for Victor Records, but these extra words and melodic material are by American folk singer Bob Gibson, recorded on his album There's A Meetin' Here Tonight (1958), recorded again at the Newport Folk Festival (24–26 June 1960), and registered for copyright (27 October 1960). The extra material is likewise credited to him in We Shall Overcome! Songs of the Southern Freedom Movement (NY: Oak Publications, 1963).
—Chris Fenner