Behold a little child

Words: William Walsham How, 1872

Music: Wesley, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
John Goss: Arthur's Seat; MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Meter: 66 66 88

1. Behold a little Child,
laid in a manger bed;
the wintry blasts blow wild
around his infant head.
But who is this so lowly laid?
'Tis he by whom the worlds were made.

2. Alas! in what poor state
the Son of God is seen;
why doth the Lord so great
choose out a home so mean?
That we may learn from pride to flee,
and follow his humility.

3. Where Joseph plies his trade,
lo! Jesus labors too;
the hands that all things made
an earthly craft pursue,
that weary men in him may rest,
and faithful toil through him be blessed.

4. Among the doctors see
the Boy so full of grace;
say, wherefore taketh he
the scholar's lowly place?
That Christian boys, with reverence meet,
may sit and learn at Jesus' feet.

5. Christ! once thyself a boy,
our boyhood guard and guide;
be thou its light and joy,
and still with abide,
that thy dear love, so great and free,
may draw us evermore to thee.

Sheet Music by R. Brown-Barthwick from Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol #50
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music by W. Croft, "Croft's 148th," from Mary Palmer and John Farmer, eds., Church Sunday School Hymn-Book (London: Church of England Sunday-School Institute, 1892), #46.

Sheet Music from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #140
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

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