O Come, Little Children
Christoph von Schmid Johann Schulz
Germany: von Schmid was a priest, author of children's books and head schoolmaster. He wrote the lyrics for this song in 1850. Schulz composed the melody used by this song in 1790 while living in Denmark.
O come, little children, from cot and from hall,
O come to the manger in Bethlehem's stall.
There meekly He lieth, the heavenly Child
So poor and so humble, so sweet and so mild. He's born in a stable for you and for me;
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild
And purer than angels, the heavenly Child. The hay is His pillow, the manger His bed;
The beasts stand in wonder to gaze on His head.
Yet there where He lieth, so weak and so poor,
Come shepherds and Wisemen to kneel at His door. See Mary and Joseph with love beaming eyes
Are gazing upon the rude bed where he lies,
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love,
While angels sing loud ahllelujahs above. Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they;
Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host. Now "Glory to God" sing the angels on high,
"And peace upon earth" heavenly voices reply.
Then come, little children, and join in the lay
That gladdened the world on that first Christmas Day.
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Johann Schulz