Lyrics
Once in royal David's city Once in royal David's city
Describes a historical event in royal David's city.
stood a lowly cattle shed
Highlights the humble setting, a cattle shed.
where a mother laid her baby
Depicts a mother laying her baby in a manger.
in a manger for his bed
Emphasizes the simplicity of the bed, a manger.
Mary was that Mother mild
Identifies Mary as the mild and gentle mother.
Jesus Christ her little child
Names the baby as Jesus Christ, her child.
He came down to earth from heaven
Expresses the descent of Jesus from heaven.
who is God and Lord of all
Describes Jesus as God and Lord of all.
and his shelter was a stable
Details the humble shelter, a stable.
and his cradle was a stall
Mentions the cradle being a stall.
with the poor and mean and lowly
Describes Jesus living among the poor and lowly.
lived on earth our Saviour holy
Highlights the holiness of Jesus as our Savior.
And our eyes at last shall see him
Anticipates the eventual sight of Jesus through redeeming love.
through his own redeeming love
Reiterates the role of redeeming love in seeing Jesus.
for that child so dear and gentle
Characterizes the child as dear and gentle.
is our Lord in heaven above
Affirms that Jesus is our Lord in heaven.
and he leads his children on
Indicates Jesus leading his children to his heavenly place.
to the place where he is gone
References the destination where Jesus has gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable
Contrasts the earthly stable with the heavenly setting.
with the oxen standing by
Mentions the presence of oxen in the earthly scene.
we shall see him but in heaven,
Emphasizes that seeing Jesus occurs in heaven.
set at God's right hand on high
Places Jesus at God's right hand in heaven.
where like stars his children crowned
Envisions Jesus' children being crowned like stars.
all in white shall wait around
Foresees Jesus' children waiting around in white attire.
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