You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Only a Beam of Sunshine

Only a beam of sunshine

Author: Fanny J. Crosby
Tune: [Only a beam of sunshine]
Published in 27 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Only a beam of sunshine,
But oh, it was warm and bright;
The heart of a weary trav'ler
Was cheered by its welcome sight.
Only a beam of sunshine
That fell from the arch above,
And tenderly, softly whispered
A message of peace and love.

Chorus:
Only a word for Jesus,
Only a whispered prayer
Over some grief-worn spirit
May rest like a sunbeam fair.

2 Only a beam of sunshine,
That into a dwelling crept,
Where, over a fading rosebud,
A mother her vigil kept.
Only a beam of sunshine
That smiled through her falling tears,
And showed her the bow of promise,
Forgotten perhaps for years. [Chorus]

3 Only a word for Jesus!
Oh, speak it in his dear name;
To perishing souls around you
The message of love proclaim.
Go, like the faithful sunbeam,
Your mission of joy fulfill;
Remember the Saviour’s promise,
That he will be with you still. [Chorus]


Source: Living Hymns: for use in the Sabbath School, Christian Endeavor Meetings, the church & home #84

Author: Fanny J. Crosby

Pseudonymns: A.V., Mrs. A. E. Andrews, Mrs. E. A. Andrews, Mrs. E. L. Andrews, James L. Black, Henrietta E. Blair, Charles Bruce, Robert Bruce, Leah Carlton, Eleanor Craddock, Lyman G. Cuyler, D.H.W., Ella Dare, Ellen Dare, Mrs. Ellen Douglass, Lizzie Edwards. Miss Grace Elliot, Grace J. Frances, Victoria Frances, Jennie Garnett, Frank Gould, H. D. K., Frances Hope, Annie L. James, Martha J. Lankton [Langton], Grace Lindsey, Maud Marion, Sallie Martin, Wilson Meade, Alice Monteith, Martha C. Oliver, Mrs. N. D. Plume, Kate Smiley, Sallie Smith, J. L. Sterling, John Sterling, Julia Sterling, Anna C. Storey, Victoria Stuart, Ida Scott Taylor, Mary R. Tilden, Mrs. J. B. Thresher, Hope Tryaway, Grace Tureman, Carrie M. Wilson, W.H.D. Frances… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Only a beam of sunshine
Title: Only a Beam of Sunshine
Author: Fanny J. Crosby
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Only a word for Jesus
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5240
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #5240

Include 26 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.