Pass It On
Backgrounder: Kurt Kaiser was
born in 1934 in Chicago. While
known primarily for his youth
musicals, Kaiser has composed
more than 60 hymn texts & tunes,
the most famous is “Pass It On.”
Kaiser provided the background
to the hymnal song: In 1969,
I collaborated on a musical, Tell
It Like It Is. It was written to get
young people involved in Church.
On a Sunday night I was sitting
in by the fireplace where there
were remnants of a fire, and it
occurred to me that it only takes
a spark to get a fire going . . .
and the rest came very quickly.
My wife suggested that I should
say something about shouting
it from mountain tops, and that
ended up in the third verse.
Pass It On gained traction in
congregational circles when it
appeared in Hymns for the Living
Church (1974). Since then, the song
has appeared in about 10 hymnals.
Lord, we’ll Pass On the Good News:
My son, Be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that you have heard
from me among many witnesses,
commit these to faithful men who
will be able to teach others also.
You therefore must endure
hardship as a good soldier
of Jesus Christ (2Tim 2:1-3).
Lord, Fill us with the power of
Your Holy Spirit so that we can
be effective witnesses for you.
Pray that the fruit of the Spirit:
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control
would be evident in my life.
Cause my light to shine before
others so that they may see my
good works and give you glory.
Open doors for me to share
your Word, and help me to
make it clear when I speak.
Help me to be prepared to
verbally share the gospel.
And Enable me to share it with
gentleness & respect for others.
Lord Jesus, Help us not to be
ashamed of You & to remember
that you have not given me a
spirit of fear, but of power & love.
Empower me to speak boldly as I
proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
Give me your compassion for
the lost and help me to see their
true condition, and to be moved
with love to reach out to them.
Send us as laborer into yr harvest.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
It only takes a spark
To get a fire going.
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it.
You spread His love to ev’ryone
You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring
When all the trees are budding.
The birds begin to sing
The flowers start their blooming.
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it.
U want to sing it’s fresh like spring
You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found.
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you’re bound.
I’ll shout it from the mountain top
I want my world to know.
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.