Once In Bethlehem Of Judah

Words: Cecil F. Alexander, alt.

Music: C. E. Kettle (Carol 311)
J. H. Maunder (Carol 434)
F. J. Dugard (Carol 507)
C. V. Stanford (Carol 651)

Source: Carols #311, 434, 507, 651, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

1. Once in Bethlehem of Judah,
Far away across the sea.
There was laid a little Baby
On a Virgin Mother's knee.

Refrain
O Saviour, gentle Saviour,
Hear Thy loving children sing,
The God of our salvation,
The Child that is our King.

2. It was not a stately palace
Where that little Baby lay,
With His servants to attend Him,
And with guards to keep the way. Refrain

3. But the oxen stood around Him,
In a stable low and dim;
In the world He had created
There was not a room for Him. Refrain

4. For He left His Father's glory,
And the golden halls above,
And He took our human nature,
In the greatness of His love. Refrain

5. Of His infinite compassion
He can feel our want and woe;
For He suffered, He was tempted,
When He lived our life below. Refrain

6. Still He stands and pleads in heaven,
For us weak and sin-defiled;
God, who is a man for ever,
Jesus, who was once a child. Refrain

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins by C. E. Kettle (Carol 311)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins by J. H. Maunder (Carol 434)
Verses 1-5: MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Verses 6: MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins by F. J. Dugard (Carol 507)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins by C. V. Stanford (Carol 651)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music by Rev. J. S. Hodges, D. D., from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #72
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Rev. Edgar Pettman, ed., The Westminster Carol Book (London: Houghton & Co., 1899), No. 23, pp. 30-31.

This version contained an additional sixth verse:

Still His Childhood's bright example
gives a light to our poor homes:
From the Blood of His atoning
Still our hope of pardon comes.

Saviour, gentle Saviour!
Hear Thy children sing,
The God of our salvation,
Te Child that is our King.

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