1 We have heard the story
Of the sweetest Child,
How He grew to manhood,
Gentle, undefiled,
When on earth He tarried,
Years and years ago;
Once He call’d the children
When they throng’d Him so.

Refrain:
“Suffer little children to come unto me,
Suffer little children to come unto me
And forbid them not, forbid them not,
For of such is the Kingdom of heav’n.”

2 When the stern disciples
Thought them in the way
Jesus called them nearer,
He would have them stay;
In His arms He held them
And he sweetly said,
As He murmur’d blessings
On each gentle head:— [Refrain]

3 Jesus loves the children
Just the same today;
He would have them follow,
Where He leads the way,
He would have us love Him—
Him who loves us so—
Hear Him calling now, as
In the long ago. [Refrain]