The hymn’s lyrics are playful yet profound, using the metaphor of oil in a lamp to represent the Holy Spirit’s presence. Below are the commonly sung verses:
Verse 1
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Keep me burning till the break of day.
Chorus
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King!
Verse 2
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart, I pray;
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Keep me praising till the break of day.
Chorus
Verse 3
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray;
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Keep me resting till the break of day.
Chorus
Verse 4
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Give me love in my heart, I pray;
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Keep me serving till the break of day.
Chorus
These lyrics, with their repetitive structure and vibrant chorus, are easy to learn and sing, making the hymn a favorite for children and adults alike.
Line by Line meaning of Give Me Oil in My Lamp
“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, / Give me oil in my lamp, I pray;”
These lines express the desire to stay faithful and spiritually awake, asking God to fuel the soul with His presence, so that one’s light never fades before Jesus returns.
It’s a joyful, childlike prayer to remain burning with love, purpose, and devotion every day.
“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, / Keep me burning till the break of day.”
This line is a childlike but powerful plea:
Lord, help me keep going. Keep my heart burning with love and truth, all the way until You return or call me home.
“Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, / Sing hosanna to the King of kings!”
These lines call everyone—children and adults alike—to praise Jesus with joy.
It’s an anthem of worship, celebration, and love for our Savior and King.
Simple words, powerful praise.
“Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, / Sing hosanna to the King!”
This chorus invites us to lift our voices and celebrate Christ with overflowing joy.
It’s simple, memorable, and filled with childlike faith and pure praise.
“Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, / Give me joy in my heart, I pray;”
This line is a prayer for joy that fuels praise—a joy that lives deep in the heart and expresses itself in daily worship.
It reminds us that true joy comes from God, and it’s what keeps our hearts singing through every season of life.
“Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, / Keep me praising till the break of day.”
This joyful chorus asks God to keep our hearts full of praise, no matter how long the night is.
Whether in good times or tough ones, we keep singing—until the morning of hope, joy, or Christ’s return.
“Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting, / Give me peace in my heart, I pray;”
This verse is a gentle prayer to remain calm and confident in God, even when life feels uncertain.
It reminds us that when God gives us peace, we can rest—without fear, without striving, and with trust in His love.
“Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting, / Keep me resting till the break of day.”
This line expresses a gentle but powerful prayer:
“Lord, help me stay still inside, even when life outside is restless.
Let me rest in Your peace, all the way until a new day comes.”
“Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, / Give me love in my heart, I pray;”
This line asks God to fill the heart with His love, so that love spills over into everyday service—serving others with joy, patience, and humility.
It’s a prayer to become a living example of Christ’s love.
“Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, / Keep me serving till the break of day.”
This line is a humble plea: “Lord, empower me to keep loving and serving others without ceasing, until You bring the morning of Your glory.”
It reminds us that true love is active, enduring, and sacrificial, and that God strengthens us for each new day’s service.
Author & Origins
- Lyricist:A. Sevison (attributed)
- Credited in mid-20th-century sources (e.g., Singspiration, Anglican hymnals) as the writer of the well-known verses and popular refrain.
- Tradition:
- A traditional Christian gospel chorus with unknown origins, first widely published in the 1940s.
- Inspired by Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), emphasizing spiritual readiness.
- Publication History:
- Earliest known print appearance in Dawning Light (1943)
- Included in later hymnals (Singspiration, Girl Scout songbooks) from the 1950s onward, often credited to A. Sevison.
- Musical Arrangement:
- Set to the lively, gospel-style chorus titled “Sing Hosanna” (also known as “Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings”), frequently used in Sunday School and camp settings.
- Cultural Popularity:
- Gained international attention, recorded in Jamaica in the 1960s, and even a medley performance by the Byrds in 1969.
✅ Quick Info Tab
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Lyricist | A. Sevison (widely credited) |
| Date | Circa 1940s–50s |
| Based on | Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13) |
| Refrain Added | “Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings” (mid-20th century) |
| Genre | Gospel chorus, Sunday School favorite |
The Spiritual Significance of the Hymn
Inspired by the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” uses oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to stay spiritually prepared and filled with God’s presence. Each verse requests virtues—oil (Spirit), joy, peace, and love—that enable Christians to shine as lights in the world (Matthew 5:16). The chorus, with its exuberant “Sing hosanna,” reflects joyful worship and adoration of Jesus as King.
This hymn is particularly meaningful in children’s ministries, as its simple language and upbeat tempo teach young believers about faith, readiness, and living for Christ. For adults, it serves as a reminder to rely on the Holy Spirit to sustain their spiritual vitality.
Ways to Incorporate This Hymn in Worship
- Children’s Ministry: Teach the hymn in Sunday school or vacation Bible school to introduce kids to the Holy Spirit.
- Family Worship: Sing it during family devotions to encourage joyful participation.
- Camp or Retreat Settings: Use the hymn in group sing-alongs for its catchy, communal vibe.
- Modern Arrangements: Adapt it with guitar or percussion for contemporary worship services.
More Hymns: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning – Christian Song Lyrics
FAQs: “Give Me Oil in My Lamp”
The exact author is unknown. It’s a traditional Christian folk/gospel chorus that gained popularity in the 20th century.
It represents the Holy Spirit, faith, and the spiritual readiness to meet Jesus when He returns.
Its repetition, upbeat melody, and easy-to-understand lyrics make it a favorite in children’s ministry and Sunday school.
It’s a joyful expression of praise that originally meant “Save us!” in Hebrew, but now is used to celebrate and worship Jesus.
Yes, it draws from Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25), urging believers to stay spiritually awake and prepared.
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