Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ‎#205

205. 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. 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David’s city
• Title: Once in Royal David’s City
• Author: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818–1895
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:4-12
• Topic: Christmas
• Notes: Additional scripture reference from LDS canon: Mosiah 3:5-8

Tune Information

• Name: [Once in royal David’s city]
• Composer: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876
• Incipit: 57111 71221 13533
• Key: F Major or modal