All Believer Hymn Book

Hymn 479 ONCE IN ROYAL DAVI’S CITY Lyrics

1. Once in royal David’s city,
Stood a lonely cattle-shed,
Where a mother laid her baby,
In the manger for His bed.
Mary was the 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 poor, and mean, and lowly
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

3. And through all His wondrous childhood
He would honour and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden,
In whose gentle arms He lay Christian children
all must be Mild, obedient, good as He.

4. For He is our childhood’s pattern:
Day by day like us He grew
He as little, weak and helpless
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He fecleth for our sadness.
And He shareth in 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 heaven above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.