The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#633

633. Once in Royal David's City

1 Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle-shed
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed;
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

2 He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poorest of the earth
Was our holy Saviour's birth.

3 Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars His children, crowned,
All in white shall wait around.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David's city
• Title: Once in Royal David's City
• Author: Cecil Frances (Humphreys) Alexander (1848, a.)
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: Children's Hymns; Christmas Day

Tune Information

• Name: IRBY
• Composer: Henry John Gauntlett (1849)
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7.
• Key: G Major