1 Come, let us sweetly sing, join in full chorus,
Praise to the mighty King, Him who reigneth o'er us;
Once he, a little child, gentle and lowly,
Taught us how we should live, loving, pure, and holy.

2 Hail! hail to Him who once slept in a manger,
Wandered from place to place, homeless and a stranger,
Suffered and died for us,--oh, wondrous story!--
Suffered that we might all dwell with him in glory.

3 O thou, who once didst hear children when singing,
Thou, who didst sweetly say, Suffer ye their bringing,
From thy bright home above, graciously bending,
List to our joyful songs gratefully ascending.

4 Be thou our guard and guide, grant us thy Spirit,
Own us as thine at last, through thy perfect merit;
Then shall we sweetly sing, in angelic chorus,
Praise evermore to Him who shall there reign o'er us.