Scripture Verse

Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

Introduction

portrait
C. Herbert Woolston (1856–1927)

Words: C. Her­bert Wool­ston (1856–1927). Wool­ston was one of George Root’s fa­vo­rite ly­ri­cists. Child­ren oft­en sing just the re­frain, which is a song all to itself!

Music: George F. Root, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc). Root orig­in­al­ly wrote this tune for the Am­eri­can ci­vil war song Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.

portrait
George F. Root (1820–1895)

Lyrics

Jesus calls the child­ren dear,
Come to Me and ne­ver fear,
For I love the lit­tle child­ren of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the bet­ter land,
For I love the lit­tle child­ren of the world.

Refrain

Jesus loves the lit­tle child­ren,
All the child­ren of the world.
Red and yel­low, black and white,
All are pre­cious in His sight,
Jesus loves the lit­tle child­ren of the world.

[Alternate refrain:

Jesus died for all the child­ren,
All the child­ren of the world.
Red and yel­low, black and white,
All are pre­cious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the child­ren of the world.]

Jesus is the Shep­herd true,
And He’ll al­ways stand by you,
For He loves the lit­tle child­ren of the world;
He’s a Sav­ior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
For He loves the lit­tle child­ren of the world.

Refrain

I am com­ing, Lord, to Thee,
And Your sol­dier I will be,
For You love the lit­tle child­ren of the world;
And Your cross I’ll al­ways bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the lit­tle child­ren of the world.

Refrain