KEEP ON THER SUNNY SIDE, a Hymn Devotion for 24 June 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Psalms 36:9
This Gospel song was a favorite of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian regions of America when I was growing up in the forties and fifties. Almost every day, I could hear this song being played as I ate my breakfast of hot biscuits, eggs, grits and bacon. The first time many readers will have heard this song may have been in the more recent movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou, but it was first published in 1899 by Miss Ada Blenkhorn (1858 -1927). It encourages the hopeful faith of the Christian walk. That outlook contrasted sharpoly with the depravity and poverty of the region during the late 1800 hundreds in America.
KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE
1 There's a dark and a troubled side of life;
There's a bright and a sunny side, too;
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view.
Chorus:
Keep on the sunny side,
Always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life,
It will help us every day,
It will brighten all the way,
If we keep on the sunny side of life.
2 Tho' the storm in its fury breaks today,
Crushing hopes that we cherished so dear;
Storm and cloud will in time pass away,
The sun again will shine bright and clear. [Chorus]
3 Let us greet with a song of hope each day,
Tho' the moments be cloudy or fair;
Let us trust in our Saviour always,
Who keepeth every one in His care. [Chorus]
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1 There's a dark and a troubled side of life; There's a bright and a sunny side, too; Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife The sunny side we also may view. It will be no surprise to the reader that there are, indeed, two views of the walker in this life. It is a personal decision upon which path the traveler walks – the bright or the dark side. Even the cripple, the blind, or the mentally unstable can enjoy a beautiful walk on the sunny side, or, some may decide that their hurt and pain cannot result in any joy of life at all. Joy of life is seldom related to the economic status of the individual. When the ‘slings and arrows’ of life are encountered, the manner of dealing with those assaults determine our future joy or misery. With Christ by our side, every arrow and every stone cast at us is a victory in Him.
2 Tho' the storm in its fury breaks today, Crushing hopes that we cherished so dear; Storm and cloud will in time pass away, The sun again will shine bright and clear. [Chorus] Not only is there a ‘silver lining’ to the clouds of doubt and sorrow, there is even a bright sun shining above those overcast skies. To be honest, I love to see and hear the rain. It gives life to our planet in the forms of food and greenery. But then comes the sun which allows us to go out and enjoy the gift of life that the rain has brought down for us. The stormy day is much like the darkness of a cold night which will pass with the regular rising of the glorious sun. The fearful may hope in the light to come. “ . . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
3 Let us greet with a song of hope each day, Tho' the moments be cloudy or fair; Let us trust in our Saviour always, Who keepeth every one in His care. [Chorus] We are forever ‘safe in the arms of Jesus.’ Why are our memories so vivid in recalling sorrows and scanty to recognize beauty and blessings? Every Christian should remember that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, to them that are called according to His purpose.” That means even the hard as well as the good times. Remember the counsel of David: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
Chorus:
Keep on the sunny side, Always on the sunny side, Keep on the sunny side of life, It will help us every day, It will brighten all the way, If we keep on the sunny side of life. The chorus is a simple summary of the entire song – to be able to see light and beauty in all things, even those things that may seem dark and omenous.
The styate of your soul will dictate the light or darkness in which you walk.
