You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

654a. Jesus, friend of little children

1 Jesus, friend of little children,
be a friend to me;
take my hand and ever keep me
close to thee.

2 Teach me how to grow in goodness
daily as I grow;
thou hast been a child, and surely
thou dost know.

3 Step by step, O lead me onward,
upward into youth;
wiser, stronger, still becoming
in thy truth.

4 Never leave me nor forsake me,
ever be my friend,
for I need thee from life’s dawning
to its end.

Text Information
First Line: Jesus, friend of little children
Author: Walter John Mathams, 1853-1931
Meter: 8.5.8.3.
Language: English
Publication Date: 2010
Topic: Sacraments and Other Occasions: For the Young
Tune Information
Name: EVENING PRAYER
Composer: John Stainer, 1840-1901
Meter: 8.5.8.3.
Key: F Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.