The Worshipbook ‎#539

539. 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 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 comforts us in sadness,
And He shares in all 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
• Title: Once in Royal David's City
• Author: Cecil Frances Alexander (1848, alt.)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  John 7:40-44
• Topic: Sacraments: Baptism; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Other Observances: Christian Education

Tune Information

• Name: IRBY
• Composer: Henry J. Gauntlett (1849)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.
• Key: F Major