Journeysongs (3rd ed.) ‎#327

327. 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 Savior holy.

3 And through all his wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms he lay.
Christian children all should be
Kind, obedient, good as he.

4 For he 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 feels for all our sadness,
And he shares in all our gladness.

5 And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above:
And he leads his children on
To the place where he has gone.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David's city
• Title: Once in Royal David's City
• Author: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 (alt.)
• Meter: 87 87 77
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2012
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:7
• Topic: Incarnation; The Liturgical Year: Christmas (Days of); The Liturgical Year: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Tune Information

• Name: IRBY
• Composer: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805-1876
• Harmonizer: Arthur H. Mann
• Meter: 87 87 77
• Key: F Major or modal