The Hymnal ‎#454

454. 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 poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

3 Jesus is our childhood's pattern,
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew:
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

4 And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David's city
• Author: Cecil F. Alexander (1848)
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. 8. 8.
• Publication Date: 1950
• Topic: Children's Hymns; Christ: Birth and Infancy of; Christ: Childhood and Youth of

Tune Information

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