Children crying in the temple, and saying,
Matthew 21:15Hosanna to the son of David.
Words: Howard Kingsbury, in The Child’s Hymn Book (New York: American Tract Society, 1840), number 11, alt.
Music: Calaveras, Lowell Mason, in The Sunday School Service and Tune Book, edited by John C. Hollister (New York; Chicago, Illinois & Boston, Massachusetts: Mason Brothers, 1863), number 23 (🔊 pdf nwc)
If you know where to get a good picture of Kingsbury (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Once was heard the song of children
By the Savior when on earth;
Joyful in the sacred temple
Shouts of youthful praise had birth;
And hosannas, and hosannas
Loud, to David’s Son broke forth.
Palms of victory strewn around Him,
Garments spread beneath His feet;
Prophet of the Lord they crowned Him,
In fair Salem’s crowded street;
While hosannas, while hosannas,
Children sang in accents sweet.
Blessèd Savior, now triumphant,
Glorified and throned on high,
Mortal lays, from man or infant,
With the songs of angels vie;
And hosannas, and hosannas,
Swell the chorus of the sky.
God o’er all, in glory reigning,
We this day Thy praises sing;
Not with palms Thy pathway strewing,
We would loftier tribute bring;
Glad hosannas, glad hosannas,
To our prophet, priest, and king.
O, though humble is our offering,
Deign accept our grateful lays;
Those from children once proceeding
Thou didst deem perfected praise.
Now hosannas, now hosannas
Savior, Lord, to Thee we raise.