anonymous March 9th, 2008 11:40AM  
"This little light of mine
I was told to let it shine"

He grew up with faith, and he was raised to show his faith and proclaim it. In this medaphor, Faith=Light.
--------------------------------------------
"But I stood idly by
And watched that poor flame die

I kept it from the bushel and brush
And away from the grasp of men
I left that lantern in the light
Where my flame could blend right in"

Here, the speaker is addressing how he was reclusive about his faith, probably because of society's growing disrespect of faith of any kind. He "kept that lanturn in the light", meaning he only exposed his faith to people who shared his views, probably for fear of ridicule.
----------------------------------------------------
"I will bear this cross
I will wear these thorns"

Confirms the christian meaning behind this song. Bearing the cross is a Christian metaphor for suffering in the name of faith.
---------------------------------------------
"Her I'll learn to hold
She will grow and grow
She will shine so bright"

I have no idea...Every reference to "her" has me completely stumped. I have to think about this more. Maybe "She" is his "light" aka faith. But that's just speculation.
----------------------------------------------
""Don't let Satan blow it out."
The teachers always said
But soon enough he figured out
It wasn't worth his breathe

'Cuz this little light of mine
Is losing all its' bright
Not to the dark I hold inside

But to the dark kept from its sight
Below the smoke still burns a fire
A small spark lives 'nearth all these ashes
Promise me you'll blow until I glow red,
bright fiery red"

Pretty much, someone is trying to convince him not to let Satin destroy his faith, and he is struggling with it, saying there is only a spark left from his flame (faith), then he urges the person to not give up on him ("promise you'll blow until I glow red")
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I've learned to smolder
All smoke but no flame
Ashes ashes we all fall down"

Ashes are left when a flame stops burning, pretty self explanitory what's going on here.
----------------------------------------------------
"I long to glow like you
embers, bright halogen embers"

The song then repeats the chorus, then ends with this:

"This little light of mine
I was told to let it shine
But I stood idly by... "

Same as the beginning, but this time you can hear the sadness in his voice and know now that he is looking back in regret.