Only One
Hymn composed by
Sheila WhiteContextual information
“Only One” is an original song from Don Heights Unitarian Congregation (Toronto, ON), inspired by words that are commonly misattributed to the Unitarian minister Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) but that are in fact adapted from a book by the English Nonconformist clergyman and abolitionist John Angell James (1785–1859): “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” The inspirational lyrics speak to the power of individuals joining in community to achieve great things. It is regularly performed by the Don Heights Singers, the Congregation’s songwriting choir. This tune by Sheila White, music director, has words co-written by her and John Sproule, member.
“Only One” is an original song from Don Heights Unitarian Congregation (Toronto, ON), inspired by words that are commonly misattributed to the Unitarian minister Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) but that are in fact adapted from a book by the English Nonconformist clergyman and abolitionist John Angell James (1785–1859): “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” The inspirational lyrics speak to the power of individuals joining in community to achieve great things. It is regularly performed by the Don Heights Singers, the Congregation’s songwriting choir. This tune by Sheila White, music director, has words co-written by her and John Sproule, member.
Tune Name
[Only One]
Tune Name
Text Meter
Irregular
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Sheila WhiteHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Vocal and song-writing coach and pianist Sheila White (she/her) is the long-time Music Director at Don Heights Unitarian Congregation in Toronto and leader of Don Heights Singers. In 2016, the Singers published Power of Song: New Hymns for a New Age, 30 original songs written by Sheila and others. Some were included in The Wishing Tree, her collaborative, shareable, Unitarian Christmas musical (2018). Sheila is a lifelong Unitarian from a musical family. Her parents, Bill and Vivian, were founding members of Don Heights.
Lyricist Background information
John Sproule (he/him) joined Don Heights Unitarian Congregation for his children, then stayed for the adults. He is a member of Sheila White’s choir.
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
I am only one, but still I am one.
I will not refuse to do what I can.
I am only one, but still I am one,
cannot do it all, but I can do some.
Only one, I'm still one.
I will do all that I can.
Only one, I'm still one.
I will do all that I can.
I am only one, but still I am one,
cannot do it all, but I can do some.
I am only one, but still I am one.
I will do the work until it is done.
Only one, I'm still one.
I will do all that I can. Only one, I'm still one.
I will do all that I can.
Now we are together, now we are two.
Look at how much more we can do.
Cooperation is the path to take.
See the kind of diff'rence it makes.
Only two, we are two.
Look at how much more we can do.
Only two, we are two.
All it takes is me and you.
With one other now we are three,
building a community.
Add one other now we are four.
Each new one adds something more.
Something more, something more,
each new one adds something more.
Something more, something more,
each new one adds something more.
I am only one, but still I am one.
I will not refuse to do what I can.
I am only one but still I am one,
cannot do it all but I can do some.
I am only one, but still I am one.
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files