Dear Little One, How Sweet Thou Art!

Words: Father Faber

Music: Traditional
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: St. Basil's Hymnal. New York: Benziger Brothers, 12th Edition.

1. Dear little One! how sweet Thou art,
    Thine eyes so bright they shine,
So bright they almost seem to speak
    When Mary's looks meet thing.
How faint and feeble is thy cry,
    Like plaint of harmless dove,
When Thou dost murmur in thy sleep
    Of sorrow and of love.

2. When Mary bids Thee sleep Thou sleep'st,
    Thou wakest when she calls;
Thou art content upon her lap,
    Or in the rugged stalls.
Simplest of Babes! with what a grace,
    Thou dost Thy mother's will,
Thine infant fashions all betray
    The God-head's hidden skill.

3. When Joseph takes Thee in his arms,
    And smooths Thy little cheek,
Thou lookest up into his face
    So helpless and so meek.
Yes! Thou art what Thou seem'st to be,
    A thing of smiles and tears;
Yet Thou art God, and heav'n and earth,
    Adore Thee with their fears.

Sheet Music from St. Basil's Hymnal

Sheet Music from Nicola A. Montani, ed., The St. Gregory Hymnal And Catholic Choir Book. Philadelphia: St. Gregory Guild, 1940, #127, p. 163.

This arrangement is for four-line stanzas.

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