You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

81. Hearken, Ye Children

1 Harken, ye children, while shepherd of Bethlehem sing
How in a manger we found him, Bethlehem’s King!
Unto us shepherds the angels stooped to tell
Bethlehem’s story and all that there befell.

2 How did we know him? the sign was the sign of the child
Laid in a manger, a fair Babe, undefiled,
Little Child Jesus is Lord of children dear;
Trust him, sweet children, who was a Baby here.

3 Why did we hasten? O who may keep waiting the King?
Angles on bright wings came down his summons to bring!
Little Child Jesus your coming waiteth too;
Bethlehem’s King keeps an open door for you.

4 What did we find there? a Saviour for rich and for poor.
Wise men and kings come to kneel—O wide is the door!
Come, little children, we humble shepherd men
Call you to follow and find the Christ again.

Text Information
First Line: Harken, ye children, while shepherd of Bethlehem sing
Title: Hearken, Ye Children
Author: Anna Burnham Bryant (1913)
Publication Date: 1921
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: SHEPHERD'S CAROL
Arranger: G. W. C. (1913)
Source: Austrian Folksong, 1810
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
MIDI file: MIDI
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.