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Refrain:
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
1 See the baby,
lyin' in the manger
on Christmas mornin'. [Refrain]
2 See Him at the temple,
talkin' to the elders;
how they marveled at his wisdom,
3 See Him at the Jordan
where John was baptizin'
and savin' all sinners. [Refrain]
4 See Him at the seaside,
talkin' to the fishermen
and makin' them disciples. [Refrain]
5 Marchin' in Jerusalem,
over palm branches,
in pomp and splendor. [Refrain]
6 See Him in the garden,
prayin' to His Father,
in deepest sorrow.
7 Led before Pilate,
then they crucified Him,
but He rose on Easter. [Refrain]
8 Hallelujah!
He died to save us
and He lives for ever. [Refrain]
Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #294
First Line: | See the little baby |
Title: | Amen, Amen |
Author (verses): | Jester Hairston |
Author (refrain): | B.H. Hogan |
Author (refrain): | Laura B. Davis |
Meter: | Irregular |
Language: | English |
Refrain First Line: | Amen, Amen |
Notes: | Ostinato refrain |
Copyright: | Refrain ©1935 Homer A. Rodeheaver, renewed 1963, sold to Word Music in 1969 [expired in 2011]. Melody and Lyrics by Hairston ©1957 Walter Schumann Co., acquired in 1965 by Bourne Music Co., renewed in 1985. |
Scripture References:
st. 1 = Luke 2:6-7
st. 2 = Luke 2:46-47
st. 3 = Mark 3:7-12, Mark 6:53-56
st. 4 = Matt. 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46
st. 5 = Matt. 27:32-35, Matt. 28:1, Mark 15:21-26, Mark 16:1-7, Luke 23:26-34, Luke 24:1-8, John 19:16-18, John 20:1-2
A traditional African American spiritual, "Amen" arose from oral tradition; thus different hymnals contain variations in the text. Donald Hustad believes "Amen" probably comes from the twentieth century. With a choral arrangement by long-time promoter of spirituals Jester Hairston, this hymn was the theme song for the film Lilies of the Field (1963) starring Sidney Poitier. The text gives glimpses into Jesus' life: his birth (st. 1); his wisdom as a twelve-year-old, which astounded the temple rulers (st. 2); his preaching and healing ministry (st. 3); his suffering in Gethsemane (st. 4); and his crucifixion and victorious resurrection (st. 5). All text is framed by the repeated "Amen" responses; as we sing we reaffirm that “truly, truly, this is the gospel!”
Liturgical Use:
Christmas Day; Epiphany; Lent; Easter; anytime with children; whenever you need a simple attractive synopsis of Christ's life set to essentially two-part music.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988