Once in Royal David’s City

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

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

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

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 is gone