Scripture Verse

Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them. Luke 18:16

Introduction

Words: Nan­nie B. Kreps, 1897.

Music: Charles H. Ga­bri­el (🔊 pdf nwc). Some hym­nals give the com­pos­er as H. A. Hen­ry, one of Ga­bri­el’s pseu­do­nyms.

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Kreps (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Charles H. Gabriel (1856–1932)

Lyrics

Jesus loves the lit­tle child­ren,
And though sin­ful I may be,
Yet He calls me, sweet­ly calls me,
Little one, come to Me.

Refrain

Jesus dear­ly loves us,
He loves us, He loves us,
Jesus dear­ly loves us,
The Bi­ble tells us so.

Oh, I want to be like Je­sus,
Meek and gen­tle, pure and mild;
Softly speak­ing, help­ing oth­ers,
Just as a lit­tle child.

Refrain

If I try to serve and praise Him,
He will send an an­gel band
To pro­tect and guide me ev­er,
Holding me by the hand.

Refrain