The Book of Praise ‎#166

166. 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 Christ came down to earth from heaven,
who is God and Lord of all,
sheltered by a humble stable,
cradled in a cattle stall:
with the poor, oppressed and lowly,
lived on earth our Saviour 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 heaven above,
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.

4 Not in that poor, lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high;
there God's children gather round,
bright like stars, with glory crowned,
all in white, his praise will sound.

Text Information

• First Line: Once in royal David's city
• Title: Once in royal David's city
• Author: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895 (alt.)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 7 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:1-7
• Topic: Children and Youth: Christmas; Church Year: Christmas; Heaven
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: IRBY
• Composer: Herny John Gauntlett, 18-5=1986
• Harmonizer: A. H. Mann
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 7 7
• Key: F Major or modal
• Copyright: Harmony © Novello & Co. Ltd.