Deniece Williams

Songwriter: Deniece Williams Michael Peterson

Producer: Brad Westering

God said they would know us
By the love we would show one to another
We must show compassion
Loving others as ourselves

Desperation surrounds us
And we choose to pass right by
Yet we say it astounds us
When the needy question why

God said that a city on a hill
Cannot hide the light that is shining
We must be examples
So the truth could be revealed

There are so many reasons
People work in the name of the Lord
Yet there's spiritual treason
When His mercy is ignored

If we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?
If we are the light
Then why, oh, why

Oh...
Why does the world keep falling apart
If we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?
Oh...

God said He would judge us
By the love we display one to another
We prove that we love Him
When we help the least of these

There are lives in the balance
How can we ignore their cry?
We have so many talents
There can be no alibi

If we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?
If we are the light
Then why, oh, why
Oh, why does the world keep falling apart?
If we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?

If we are the light
Then why, oh, why
Oh, why does the world keep falling apart?
Oh-whoa-whoa...

There are lives in the balance
How can we ignore their cry?
God gave so many talents
There can be no alibi

If we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?
Oh...
Tell me, if we are the light
Then why is the world so dark?
If we are the light
(Why is the world so dark?)

Deniece Williams (born name June Deniece Chandler) is an American singer, songwriter and producer. She was born June 3, 1950. She has been described as “one of the great soul voices” by the BBC. Williams has won four Grammys with twelve nominations altogether.

As Deniece Chandler, she recorded for The Toddlin' Town group of labels. One of those early records, “I’m Walking Away”, released on Toddlin’s subsidiary Lock Records in the late 1960s, is a favorite on England’s Northern Soul scene. In the early 1970s she became a backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder as part of “Wonderlove”, lending her vocals on his albums Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life. Williams also guested in 1974 on Syreeta Wright’s album Stevie Wonder Syreeta as well as Minnie Riperton’s Perfect Angel album and a year later on Roberta Flack’s Feel Like Makin' Love.

more tracks from the album

So Glad I Know

From the album

So Glad I Know (1986)

Deniece Williams popular songs

If We Are the LightDeniece Williams

Deniece Williams

So Glad I Know