Author: Cecil Frances Alexander Hymnal: Voices United #62 (1996) Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7 Topics: The Christian Year C; Annunciation; Biblical Characters David; Biblical Characters Mary, Mother of Jesus; Children Praising; Christian Year Christmas; Heaven(s)/Paradise; Jesus Christ Birth and Infancy; Jesus Christ Example; Jesus Christ Reign; Jesus Christ Second Coming; Obedience; Second Coming; Advent 4 Year A; Christmas Eve Year A; Christmas 1 Year A; Christmas 2 Year A; Epiphany Year A; Epiphany 5 Year A; Epiphany 6 Year A; Advent 4 Year B; Christmas Eve Year B; Christmas 1 Year B; Advent 3 Year C; Christmas 1 Year C Lyrics: 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, with God is over all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall.
There among the poor and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.
3 For he is our lifelong pattern;
daily, when on earth he grew;
he was tempted, scorned, rejected,
tears and smiles like us he knew.
Thus he feels for all our 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 who seemed so helpless
is our Lord in heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone. Languages: English Tune Title: IRBY
Once in Royal David's City