1 Long a hopeless soul I wandered, in the sinful vale of night,
And no earthly friend could hope or cheer impart;
But the loving Saviour found me, and I’m walking in the light,
For the sunshine of his love is in my heart.
Refrain:
Yes, the sunshine of his love is in my heart,
And the joy which only Jesus can impart;
I am happy day and night,
And my way is always bright,
For the sunshine of his love is in my heart.
2 I was helpless and despairing, like a sailor on the sea
In a storm, without a compass or a chart,
But the loving Saviour found me, and today I’m strong and free,
For the sunshine of his love is in my heart. [Refrain]
3 O if life is dark and hopeless, if your soul is lost in sin,
And to you the world no comfort can impart—
If, with hope and joy and courage, life anew you would begin,
Let the love of Jesus shine within your heart. [Refrain]
Source: Songs for All #28
Pseudonym: James S. Apple.
James Rowe was born in England in 1865. He served four years in the Government Survey Office, Dublin Ireland as a young man. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central & Hudson R.R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >
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