I grew up listening to “Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sunshine In” on a record. There was a lady who had a child-sounding voice when she sang, she put together a few recordings of faith-based songs for children. She saw it as a ministry she was uniquely qualified for.
Lyrics
Mommy told me something a little kid should know.
It’s all about the devil and I’ve learned to hate him so.
She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room.
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.
When you are unhappy, the devil wears a grin
But oh, he starts a-running when the light comes pouring in
I know he’ll be unhappy ’cause I’ll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling he’ll get tired of hanging ’round.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.
If I forget to say my prayers the devil wears a grin.
But he feels so awful awful when he sees me on my knees
So if you’re full of trouble and you never seem to win,
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.
Song written by Stuart Hamblen
The Author of Let the Sunshine In
Stuart Hamblen grew up in a home of a travelling Methodist preacher. He became the world’s first singing cowboy and was in several movies. He not only composed more than 225 gospel songs, but wrote western songs as well. Mr. Hamblen was the first man to fly a horse, flying his racehorse EL LOBO from Los Angeles to Bay Meadows, forever changing the horse racing world.
He was not always a believer, despite his godly upbringing, he came to faith later in life. He not only raced horses, appeared in movies, wrote songs, did rodeo but also had a radio career. This on top of his degree in education. This Texan was also a band leader. Mr. Hamblen married Suzanne Obee and eventually had two daughters.
Connections
I have to admit when I read all the things that Stuart Hamblen did I was quite impressed. But when I read how his dad was a preacher, but that Stuart didn’t come to faith until later in life, my heart was encouraged.
Some kids do this, they slide away from the faith. Through God’s gift to us of free will, sometimes poor decisions are made. AND YET… God can still work in hearts and lives. One can cling to those promises.
Thinking back to this song I can’t say I agree with all the words
“Smilers never lose and frowners never win”, that phrase has my guard going up. Whether one smiles or frowns doesn’t affect the outcome of long-term life choices. It might affect the here and now, and is really not a bad thing to encourage is it?
I do like how we are invited to remember how much the devil dislikes it when we pray. Prayer is our battle cry. We’d do well to remember it! 🙂
What a wonderful reminder for today! It is so important to pray and pray often. I love hearing all the details about his life. I also find it encouraging that even though he did not immediately follow his father’s faith, he eventually did.
definitely eh? Stories like that are always good to hear.
What great lyrics to the song, thank you for sharing some insight into the writer’s background. That was very encouraging.
I know, isn’t it? Hearing “comeback” to the Lord stories is very encouraging.
Oh wow, this is not a song I was familiar with. It is so encouraging to remember how God works in hearts and lives for sure!
definitely!
I really, really like this one. I have never heard it but it made me smile today.
Oh good! 🙂