Once in Royal David's City

Once in Royal David's City began as a poem by Irish hymn-writer Cecil Frances Alexander, published in 1848, and was set to music the following year by English... read more

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Once in Royal David's City Lyrics

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed;
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean,
and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all His
wondrous childhood
He would honour and obey,
Love and watch the lowly Maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay;
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood's pattern;
Day by day, like us, He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles, like us He knew;
And He cares when we are sad,
And he shares when we are glad.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above:
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

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About Once in Royal David's City

Released on: October 05, 2015

04 mins 35 sec

Once in Royal David's City began as a poem by Irish hymn-writer Cecil Frances Alexander, published in 1848, and was set to music the following year by English organist Henry John Gauntlett. For generations it has opened the famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge, traditionally begun by a single boy chorister singing the first verse.

Our Love to Sing choir keeps its gentle, storytelling melody clear and easy to follow, so everyone can learn the Nativity through song. It's a treasured choice for carol services, school nativities and singing at home.

Explore more Christian Christmas carols, or pair it with O Little Town of Bethlehem.

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