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;
Light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago.
Light one candle for all we believe in
Let anger not tear us apart,
And light one candle to bind us together
With peace as a song in our heart.

Chorus 2x

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
When we cry out they’ve not died in vain?
We have come this far, always believing
That justice will somehow prevail;
This is the burden, this is the promise
And this is why we will not fail.

Chorus 2x

Don’t let the light go out!
Don’t let the light go out!
Don’t let the light go out!

If you’re not familiar with this Peter, Paul and Mary song, you can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cRXgDFiSs