• 
• 

Lyrics and Information

Once in Royal David’s City

Words by Cecil F. Alexander, 1848
Tune: IRBY by Henry J. Gauntlett, 1849
Key signature: G major (1 sharp)
Time signature: 4/4
Public Domain
Organ Performance at Hymns Without Words
1. Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.
2. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.
3. And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeem ing love, For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heav’n above, And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone.
4. Not within a stable lowly, With the oxen standing by, But in heaven we shall see Him, Set at God’s right hand on high; With He children gathered ’round, His great praise shall e’er resound.