The Celebration Hymnal ‎#286

286. 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 feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

4 And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Thro' His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is the Lord in heav'n above.
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David's city
• Title: Once in Royal David's City
• Author: Cecil F. Alexander
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Topic: Christ: Birth

Tune Information

• Name: IRBY
• Composer: Henry J. Gauntlett
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.
• Key: F Major