<P> "Keep Your Lamp (s) Trimmed and Burning" is a traditional gospel blues song . It alludes to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, found in the Gospel of Matthew at 25: 1 - 13, and also to a verse in the Gospel of Luke, at 12: 35 . </P> <P> The song has been attributed to Blind Willie Johnson, who recorded it in 1928; to Mississippi Fred McDowell, who recorded it in 1959; and to Reverend Gary Davis, who recorded it sometime before 1961 . </P> <P> The song has been included in several hymnals . </P>

When was keep your lamps trimmed and burning written